I have not heard it utter any sound; but Robinson, in describing two that were brought to him alive in October, 1760, says, “their cry was very low, and resembled that of a Coot, when at a great distance.” He notices also their peculiar mode of flight, as well as their habit of squatting. “Several,” he observes, “were killed accidentally, by the negroes at work; as they are so foolish as to hide their heads, and, cocking up their rumps, think they are safe, when they are easily taken.” (MSS. iii. 112.) He says elsewhere, “The negroes in Clarendon call it Cacky-quaw, by reason of its cry, which consists of three articulations; the negroes in Westmoreland call it Johnny Ho, and Kitty Go, for the same reason.” (iii. 134.)
The gizzard of the one that I examined, contained a few hard seeds. The body is much compressed.
The speckled plumage, rufous neck, and scarlet eyes, constitute this a species of much beauty.
SULTANA.[118]
(Martinico Gallinule.—Wils.)
Porphyrio Martinica.
| Gallinula Martinica, | Gmel.—Aud. pl. 305. |
| Gallinula cyanocollis, | Vieill. |
| Porphyrio tavoua, | Ibid. |
| Porphyrio Martinica, | G. R. Gray. |
[118] Length 12½ inches, expanse 21½, flexure 6½, tail 2½, rictus 1³⁄₁₀, breadth of shield ⁹⁄₂₀, height from base of lower mandible to point of shield, 1 inch, tarsus 3, middle toe 3. Hind claw largest.
This magnificent bird is not uncommon in some of the lowland ponds and marshy rivers of Jamaica. The road from Savannah le Mar to Negril, passes through the immense swamp of the Cabarita River, the tall and dense rushes of which form a wall on each side of the way, which in the wet season is overflowed. Riding there one day in January, I saw a Sultana walking in the middle of the road; a horseman had passed an instant before, who certainly had not disturbed it; and on my approach it took no more notice than a common fowl, sauntering about, and picking here and there; allowing me to come within three or four feet of it. I stopped and gazed at it, and at length made a noise and a sudden motion with my hands; but it merely half-opened the wings, and gave a little start, exactly as a chicken would do, but neither flew nor ran. I never saw a bird, feræ naturæ, so tame.
I afterwards found that this vast morass abounded with them, and that their presence in the high road was a thing of daily occurrence; and though I never saw them quite so fearless as the one I have mentioned, still they were very bold, walking out from the rushes and strolling across the road in the sight of passengers.