344 PARRIDZ.—CHARADRIIDZA. 
This Jacana has a more extended range than the two species of the preceding genus, 
and is found throughout Central America from Mexico to Panama, and also occurs 
in Southern Texas, where it breeds, Grayson found it nesting in Tepic in Mexico 4%. 
A. variabilis is probably resident throughout the greater part of its Central-American 
range, having been recorded as breeding on the Escondido River in Nicaragua by 
Mr. Richmond *, and by von Frantzius in Costa Rica 1. 
The species appears to be quite common, though often very shy. Jouy, for instance, 
found it abundant on Lake Patzcuaro 3¢, and from the statement of Leyland that it 
was very common at Belize and on the Lake of Peten, but less so at Omoa, where it 
arrived about September, we may infer that the bird isa migrant to some of the more 
southern Republics. A. variabilis also inhabits the Greater Antilles, but the bird 
from Haiti, named by Mr. Cory Parra violacea, may prove to be specifically distinct. 
In habits it is very active, running upon the leaves of the water-plants which 
fringe the margins of the lakes and rivers and often raising its wings. Grayson 
observes :—“T found a nest of this bird about the middle of June, in a lagoon near 
Tepic; it was placed upon the prostrate branch of a tree, just touching the water, in 
rather an exposed position, as there seemed to be no attempt at concealment. The 
nest is large and well formed, of coarse grass and water-moss, deep and rounded; the 
eggs, three in number, were fresh, of an oval form, with reddish blotches at the larger 
end, the shell very thin.” 
Fam. CHARADRIIDZE. 
This family embraces the Plovers, Sandpipers, and their allies, and is one of the 
most extensively represented of all the known groups of birds, being certainly the 
most cosmopolitan in range. Many species are resident within the tropical areas of 
both hemispheres; but a large number breed in the Arctic and sub-Arctic Regions, 
and migrate far to the south during the northern winter. In a lesser degree the 
southern species of Limicole migrate northwards towards the Equator during the 
southern winter. 
The Charadriide have a palate of the most typical schizognathous pattern, and the 
nostrils are also typically schizorhinal. Basipterygoid processes are always present, 
and the dorsal vertebree are opisthoceelous, but there are no lateral occipital fontanelles, 
as in the Parride. Otherwise in general characters the two families are remarkably 
similar, though so different in outward appearance and habits. The nestlings also are 
covered with down of a variegated pattern, and are able to run shortly after their 
escape from the egg. The nest is a poor structure, consisting generally of a mere 
depression in the ground, lined with a few twigs or grasses, and even this scanty lining 
is often absent. The eggs are mostly four in number, pear-shaped, and are generally 
placed in the nest point to point. 
