_Gallinula_ extends over the greater part of both hemispheres, and is represented in Europe, Asia, and Africa by our common Moor-Hen (_G. chloropus_), dark olive-brown above and grey below, with white lower tail-coverts, white flank-stripes, red frontal plate, and scarlet garter on the tibia. _G. galeata_ of most of the New World differs in the posteriorly truncated shield, but _G. sandvicensis_ of the Sandwich Islands is barely separable. The smaller African _G. angulata_, _G. tenebrosa_ of Australia and New Guinea, and _G. frontata_ of the two last-named countries, the Moluccas and Borneo, complete the group; unless _G. pyrrhorhoa_ of Madagascar and _G. dionysiana_ of St. Denys be accounted distinct from _G. chloropus_. The flightless _G._ (_Porphyriornis_) _nesiotis_ of Tristan da Cunha and _G. comeri_ of Gough Island have already been mentioned. _Gallicrex cinerea_, the "Water-Cock" of the Indian Region, which reaches Japan, is dull black, with lighter edges to the feathers above, a yellow and red bill, and red frontal shield. A pinkish {250}fleshy horn springs from the forehead, said to become very small in winter, and to be wanting in the female, which is varied below with white and buff. It has a loud booming cry, and fights like a domestic Cock, but otherwise resembles the Gallinules in habits. _Porphyrio_ comprises some dozen fine species with blue plumage, found in Africa and Madagascar, and from the Mediterranean to South China and Polynesia; several individuals, probably escaped from captivity, being recorded from Britain. _P. caeruleus_ (_veterum_) is purplish-blue above with blacker remiges and rectrices, and purplish-black below with bright blue cheeks, throat, and chest, and white under tail-coverts; the bill, shield, and feet are red. It is chiefly a Mediterranean bird, but reaches Mesopotamia. Others of its congeners are greener or blacker. The habits, nest, and eggs are like those of the Coot, whereas the next genus–in the writer's opinion inseparable–appears more akin in manners to the Moor-Hen. _Porphyriola alleni_ occurs in Africa, with Madagascar and Rodriguez, and strays to the Canary Islands and South Europe; _P. martinica_ ranges from Florida, Texas, or even New England, to the West Indies and Brazil; _P. parva_, from the last-named to Amazonia and Guiana. _Porphyriops crassirostris_ and _P. melanops_ occupy South America. _Notornis mantelli_ of New Zealand,[174] now probably extinct, was olive-green above with only a tinge of blue; the head, neck, and under surface being dark purplish-blue, the bill, shield, and feet red. It was practically a gigantic _Porphyrio_ with very stout legs, short wings, and soft tail, which was unable to fly, but ran with great swiftness, being solitary and retiring. Its native name Moho is that also given to other Rails in New Zealand, and _Pennula ecaudata_ in Hawaii; it therefore may only mean "Rail." The white _N. alba_ of Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands certainly exists no longer.