American purple gallinule

It likewise is rare. Also it comes when [the other water] birds come. It is of average size, like a dove. For this reason is it called “mirror-head”: on its head is something like a mirror, a round [patch] on the crown of its head. There we appear. On the front of its head is a thin row of feathers, somewhat ashen. Its bill is quite small, cylindrical. Its breast, its back are completely light blue; its wings, its tail are likewise light blue. All its feathers are a little white. Its legs are yellow. And when it swims, when it paddles with its feet in the water, it looks like an ember; it goes glowing, glistening. And the appearance of this purple gallinule was [a sign of] war. Whoever captured one looked at himself in the mirror. If he were to go, to go forth to battle, he saw that he was carried off, taken captive; they dragged him away. But if he were to have good fortune, if he [were to] attain his reward, he saw that he dragged [the foe] off.