378 



SCREAMERS. 



generally th^y merely rise above the surface of the water and fly for about a 

 hundred yards." 



^^'-^ 



Fig. 189.— The Horned Screamer {Palamedea comuta). 



Sub-Family II. 



THE SCREAMERS PROPER. PALAMEDEIN.^. 



General Characteristics.— Bill short, with tlic culmen sloping and curved to the 

 tip, and the sides compres=ed ; 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 

 by a short membrane ; and the claws long and curved. 



These birds inhabit the marshy grounds of the northern parts 

 of South America, especially those that are situated near the sea. 



