THE NATURALIST IN LA PLATA. 



147 



observation among these birds owing to the similarity and mechanical 

 nature of their habits. This chapter is illustrated by a marvellous figure 

 of Loddigesia — the strangest in plumage of the whole group, and which 

 was long known only by a single example from Peru, until re-discovered 

 by Stolzmann in 1880. In the chapters on the Horned Screamer, and 

 the Woodhewers (Dendrocolaptidcs) space only permits of reference to 

 the extraordinary range of variation presented by the beaks of 

 different genera of the latter, as exemplified by the illustration on 

 page 239. 



Perhaps the most attractive chapter in the whole volume is the 

 one entitled " Music and Dancing in Nature," where it is shown 

 how universal is rejoicing in one form or another among all animate 

 nature. First, we have reference to the solitary dance of the 

 gorgeous " cock-of-the-rock," followed by accounts of the social 



Fig. 3. — Viscachas at Home. 



dances of various other birds, among which those of the rails and 

 their allies appear most remarkable. Among these, the author illus- 

 trates the performances of the ypecaha rails and the long-limbed 

 jacanas by excellent figures, one of which we reproduce. In the 

 jacanas, the dance appears designed to exhibit the concealed beauty 

 of the silky greenish-golden wing-coverts. These birds, writes Mr. 

 Hudson, " go singly or in pairs, and a dozen or fifteen individuals 

 may be found in a marshy place feeding within sight of each other. 

 Occasionally, in response to a note of invitation, they all in a moment 

 leave off feeding and fly to one spot, and, forming a close cluster, 

 and emitting short, excited, rapidly repeated notes, display their 

 wings like beautiful flags grouped loosely together ; some hold the 

 wings up vertically and motionless, others, half open and vibrating 

 rapidly, while still others wave them up and down with a slow 



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