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THE HOKMCD SCREAMER. 



The Linnoean genus of birds, called Palamedca, has been placed by Mr. Vigors among 

 the Grallatores. The Falamedea cornufa, or homed screamer, is a South American bird, 

 larger than a common goose, having a long spear-shaped horn projecting from the 

 forehead. It lives in marshy or inunrlated places, which it makes to resound Avith its 

 wild and loud cry. 



It docs not enter the great woods, perching only momentarily on dead branches. It 

 sends forth shrill and piercing cries, which may be heard at a considerable distance ; 

 whence its English name. Bajou states that its food consists only of aquatic plants and 

 seeds ; though others, before him, have averred that it also fed on reptiles. It never 

 attacks other birds, and the only u.se it makes of its arms is, when the males dispute for 

 the possession of the females. (Jnce paired, however, the two quit each other no more ; 

 and when one dies, the other soon pines away with grief. The screamers construct their 

 nests in the form of an oven, at the foot of a tree, according to Pison ; but Bajou tells us 

 that they make it in bushes, at some distance from the gromid, and often in reeds. The 

 female in general lays but two eggs, of the size of those of a goose, and there is but one 

 brood, in the month of January or February, except when the eggs are destroyed by any 

 accident, and then a second takes place in April or May. As soon as the young are in a 

 fit state to fly, they follow the mother, who gradually accustoms them to seek subsistence 

 alone, after which they quit her. The flesh of the young, though black, is good eating ; 

 but that of the old is hard, and less agreeable to the taste. 



The Kamichi, or Screamers, resemble the Jacanas in many respects, but are much 

 larger. They resemble them in the two strong spurs on each wing ; in the long toes and 

 strong claws, especially that of the thumb, which is long and straight, as iL the larks ; 



Palamedea Cornuta. — Linn. 



