Genus GALLINULA

GENUS, Gallinula, Brisson.

Bill moderate, compressed, rather thick at the base, slightly curved at tip, expanding into a small shield on the forehead; nostrils longitudinal, in a groove in the middle of the bill; wings moderate, second, third, and fourth quills sub-equal, with a small sharp tubercle or spur; tail short; tarsus moderately long, narrow, edged by a very narrow membrane.