PALAMEDEJD.E. 



479 



SUB-FAMILY 11. 

 P ALA M EDEi NiE. The terminer 8 proper. 



Gen. Charac. — Bill short, with the eulmen sloping and curved to the tip, and 

 the sides compressed ; the nostrils large, and placed in a membranous groove, 

 lateral, and exposed ; the wings rather lengthened, with the shoulder armed 

 with two strong spurs ; the tail moderate ; the tarsi lengthened, robust, 

 and covered with numerous small scales ; the toes lengthened, the anterior 

 ones united b}' a short membrane ; and the claws long and curved. 



Fig. 189. — the horned screamer. 

 (Palamedea eomuta.) 



These birds inliabit tlie marshy grounds of the 

 northern parts of South America, especially those 

 that are situated near the sea. They are generally 



