304 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
The Chinese Jacana (//ydrophasianus sinensis), another species 
of this family, is black and white ; excellent food, but very difficult to 
shoot on account of its wariness ; however, it is easily domesticated, 
when it becomes impudent and pugnacious. 
The Screamers (Palmedea), which are inhabitants of South 
America, have the beak shorter than the head, slightly compressed, 
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Fig. 118.—Faithful Kamichi or Crested Screamer. 
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and bent at the point; the wings are wide-spreading, and provided 
with strong spurs on the shoulders; the toes are separated, and 
furnished with long, stout, and pointed claws. ‘Their plumage 1s of a 
blackish hue. ‘Their size is about that of a Turkey. ‘Their favourite 
haunts are moist, marshy localities, such as inundated savannahs, 
or the oozy banks of shallow streams. Although they do not swim, 
they venture on the water in search of aquatic plants and seeds. 
Some naturalists, founding their belief on the presence of spurs 
