JACANAS AND ALLIED SPECIES. 



515 



moderate length, deeper than that of Rallus ; the ridge with 

 a loose or free expansion at the base ; the feet very large, 

 the claws extremely long and straight, or a little recurvate. 



3. In Crex the bill is shorter than the head, tapering, its 

 ridge slightly ^ 



enlarged and 

 angular at the 

 base, the nasal 

 groove long. 



4. Gallinula 

 has the bill a little longer 

 and stouter than Crex, the 

 nasal groove still large, 

 the ridge expanded into a 

 plate covering the fore- 

 head, toes marginate. 5. Porphyrio has 

 the bill short and stout, the ridge form- 

 ing a frontal plate, the nasal groove 

 obliterated, so that the nostrils, which 

 are round or elliptical, seem perforated 

 in the bone, the toes slightly margined. 

 6. Fulica has the bill similar to that of 

 Porphyrio, the nasal cavity partially 

 obliterated, the nostrils linear, the ridge 

 expanded into a large frontal plate, the 

 toes broadly margined with scolloped 

 membranes. Porphyrio is more grani- 

 vorous than the rest, Rallus more ver- 

 mivorous, Crex more insectivorous, Gal- 

 linula more omnivorous, and Fulica, gra- 

 nivorous like Porphyrio, is the most 

 aquatic ; while Parra, with its exces- 

 sively elongated toes and claws, is the 

 best adapted for walking upon the 

 aquatic plants. For this reason, and 

 because it is intermediate in structure 



between the rest, I have assumed it as the genus which 

 ought to give its name to this very distinct family, which is 

 in a manner connected by Rallus with the Scolopacinse, by 



