176 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 
but is more like a Rail ingits appearance, which is 
most singular. 
The colouring of the plumage heightens the 
singularity of its appearance: the head, neck, and 
underparts being black; the shoulders, back, and 
wing-coverts chestnut ; while the quills, which have 
a bright satiny lustre, are apple-green in colour, and 
in some lights appear golden-yellow. 
In the southern part of the Plata district the Jacana 
is migratory, arriving from the north in Buenos 
Ayres early in October, either singly or in small 
parties. In their migration they appear to follow 
the course of the Plata; and though some individuals 
are found breeding inland, they are for the most 
part confined to the littoral marshes. 
The Jacanas journey by very easy stages, fre- 
quently alighting to rest by the way; for they are so 
incapable of sustained flight that boys on the pampas 
occasionally take them, pursuing them on horseback 
till the birds drop down exhausted. I believe the 
migratory Rails travel in the same way—a matter not 
easily determined, as they migrate by night; but 
they are feeble-winged creatures, and when driven 
to rise flutter away as if wounded. I have observed 
the Jacanas migrating by day, but would not for this 
reason affirm that they do not journey by night, 
since the Bartram’s Sandpiper and other species 
journey both day and night. 
The Jacana flies swiftly, in a straight line and 
close to the surface; the wings flutter rapidly, and 
there are frequent intervals of gliding. When rising 
