Historical information

The Purple Swamphen can be readily located across eastern and northern Australia. They reside in areas with water including ponds, lakes, storm water drains, wetlands, swamps and marshes. These birds can often seen in urban locations including parks or along roadsides after a period of rainfall. Due to their adaptability, these birds often change environments. Purple Swamphens are omnivores and eat a wide variety of plants and animals. They live in large family groups and lay an average of five eggs which are the shared responsibility of both parents and occasionally the responsibility of young from a previous brood who may also assist caring for the eggs.

This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.

Significance

This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research.

This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.

Physical description

This taxidermy specimen is of a Purple Swamphen which is styalised standing on a wooden platform and has a paper identification tag tied to its upper left leg. The Purple Swamphen has dark colouring on its back and head with a purple-blue coloured neck, breast and belly. The bill is oversized and is orange/red which is the same colour as the frontal shield on the bird's face. The eyes are made from a red and black glass and the legs of this specimen are orange. The legs are elongated and the toes also long and unwebbed.

Inscriptions & markings

17e. / Purple Gallinule / Catalogue Page 35 /