10 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



9ARIAMAS {CariamidcB), 



Diagnosis. — Long-legged birds, with short curved bill, 

 short wings, and long tail. 



Size. — About that of a common heron or rather less. 



Form. — Bill short, curved, with basal nostrils and 

 corner of mouth below front of eye ; legs long, 

 bare above hock, with three short toes, webbed 

 at the base, in front, and a very short, elevated, 

 useless hind-toe ; wings short and rounded, tail 

 long and rounded. 



Plumage, etc. — Loose and soft, finely pencilled, grey 

 or brown in colour, wing-primaries conspicuously 

 banded. No sex-difference, young like adults. 



Young. — Hatched downy, the down being variegated. 



Nest. — Open, in a tree or low bush, or on the ground. 



Eggs. — Two ; pale, with reddish spots. 



Courtship. — In the Common ^'ariama, said to be like 

 that of a bustard. 



Food. — Chiefly animal — insects, mice, etc., with some 

 berries. In feeding, they hold a large object down 

 with one foot while tearing it. They kill prey by 

 seizing it with the bill and dashing it down. 



Gait. — A walk ; they can also run rapidly. 



Flight. — Not long sustained. They seldom fly except 

 up to a perch. 



Note. — A repeated scream, uttered with the head 

 thrown back. 



Disposition and Habits. — They are courageous and 

 become very tame. They do not bathe, but dust 

 themselves, and have a curious habit of lying over 

 on the side or even back, like quadrupeds. Al- 

 though spending most of their time on the ground, 

 they roost on a perch at night. 



Economic Qualities. — They are useful vermin- 

 destroyers. 



Captivity. — They do well in captivity, feeding on raw 



