The Réunion swamphen (Porphyrio caerulescens) is a hypothetical extinct species of rail that was endemic to the Mascarene island of Réunion. While only known from accounts by visitors from the 17th and 18th centuries, it was scientifically named in 1848 based on a 1674 account by Sieur Dubois. The Réunion swamphen was described as entirely blue in plumage with a red beak and legs; the size of a Réunion ibis, which could mean 65 to 70 cm (26 to 28 in) in length; and possibly similar to the takahē. While easily hunted, it was a fast runner and able to fly. It may have fed on plant matter and invertebrates, and was said to nest among grasses and aquatic ferns. It was only found on the Plaine des Cafres plateau, to which it may have retreated during the latter part of its existence, whereas other swamphens inhabit lowland swamps. While the last unequivocal account is from 1730, the bird may have survived until 1763. Overhunting and the introduction of cats probably drove it to extinction.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A9union_swamphen

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1987:

The deadliest peacetime maritime disaster in history occurred when the MV Doña Paz sank after colliding with an oil tanker in the Tablas Strait in the Philippines, resulting in an estimated 4,000 deaths. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Do%C3%B1a_Paz

1988:

The United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, governing international cooperation against the illegal drug trade, was signed in Vienna. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Convention_Against_Illicit_Traffic_in_Narcotic_Drugs_and_Psychotropic_Substances

1995:

American Airlines Flight 965 crashed into a mountain in Buga, Colombia, killing all 151 passengers and 8 crew members. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Airlines_Flight_965

2007:

Pablo Picasso's Portrait of Suzanne Bloch was stolen from the São Paulo Museum of Art before being recovered about three weeks later. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_Suzanne_Bloch

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

broadcaster: 1. (agriculture) 2. A machine used to broadcast or spread seeds, fertilizer, etc. 3. (obsolete) A person who sows seeds by scattering; also, one who promotes sowing seeds in this manner instead of by drilling (“making holes in the soil and placing seeds in them”). 4. (broadcasting) 5. A piece of equipment used to transmit audio and/or video content, or messages, to be received by radios or televisions, over the internet, etc. 6. An organization or station that engages in the activity of such broadcasting. 7. A person whose job it is to effect such broadcasts; specifically, one who presents radio or television programmes (especially documentaries or news programmes); a presenter. 8. (computing) A piece of equipment used to transmit data over a computer network. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/broadcaster

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

In a work of art, however modest, the peculiar character of life is always reflected in the fact that it has no parts which keep their qualitative identity in isolation. In the simplest design, the virtual constituents are indivisible, and inalienable from the whole.   --Susanne Langer https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Susanne_Langer