268 The Naturalist in La Plata. 
renewed in all their power. While screaming the 
birds rush from side to side, as if possessed with 
madness, the wings spread and vibrating, the long — 
beak wide open and raised vertically. This 
exhibition lasts three or four minutes, after which 
the assembly peacefully breaks up. 
The singular wattled, wing-spurred, and long- 
toed jacana has a remarkable performance, which 
seems specially designed to bring out the concealed 

Wing-display of Jacanas, 
beauty of the silky, greenish-golden wing-quills. 
The birds go singly or in pairs, and a dozen or 
fifteen individuals may be found in a marshy place 
feeding within sight of each other. Occasionally, 
in response to a note of invitation, they all in a 
moment leave off feeding and fly to one spot, and, 
forming a close cluster, and emitting short, excited, 
rapidly. repeated notes, display their wings, lke 
beautiful flags grouped loosely together: some hold 
