Brazilian Water Birds 



Jungle-bordered lagoons and the banks of sluggish tropical streams are the homes of 

 many unusual birds. Several of the more prominent species that are characteristic of 

 these habitats in South America appear in this exhibit. The scene is that of a small 

 lagoon in northeastern Brazil, on the Rio Branco. In such places many species, par- 

 ticularly those with wading habits, are to be found living together in harmony. Similar 

 associations of bird life occur commonly in humid tropical areas the world o\er, al- 

 though the component species may differ from place to place. 



Jabirus, the most conspicuous birds shown in the e.xhibit, are the largest American 

 representatives of the stork family. This cosmopolitan group of heron-like birds in- 

 cludes only seventeen species, many of which are widely ranging birds of considerable 

 size. The present species, one of the largest of all storks, occurs locally from southern 

 Mexico southward to Argentina. A smaller species, the wood ibis (not shown in the 

 exhibit), ranges northward to the southern parts of the United States. It is the only 

 true stork found in North America. All members of the family are voiceless, but when 

 disturbed they express alarm or resentment by rattling their heavy bills. Storks take 

 flight reluctantly but are masters of soaring and often ascend to great heights, where 

 they sometimes circle on set wings for hours at a time. Several of the larger storks, 

 among them the jabiru, perform grotesque pre-nuptial dances that evidently serve the 

 same purpose as brilliant colors or special adornments in other birds. 



Ibises, of which two species are shown, are closely related to the storks but may be 

 distinguished by their cylindrical and rather slender, decurved bills. They occur in 

 most humid tropical areas, usually in habitats such as this, where small fish, frogs, and 

 other aquatic animals are found in abundance. More than thirty species of ibis are 

 known, of which about a third are found only in the New World. 



In the left foreground may be seen a pair of sun-bitterns, the male posturing and 

 displaying his colorful plumage to best advantage, as is customary during the mating 

 season. Sun-bitterns are related to the cranes and rails and their allies. The two species 

 of this family occur only in the lowlands of tropical America. Much less colorful, but 

 also of much interest is the sun-grebe or "finfoot," a specimen of which may be seen 

 perched on a broad leaf at the right. This family is one of great antiquity, with repre- 

 sentatives in Africa and Asia, as well as in tropical America. The .\merican form 

 ranges from Argentina northward to southern Mexico, but few birds have so success- 

 fully avoided detailed study by ornithologists in the field as has this furtive, semi- 

 aquatic species. 



Also characteristic of South American swamps is the gallinule, feeding on the mud- 

 flat near the center foreground, and the boat-billed heron at the right. The latter is 

 so-named because of its peculiar bill, which differs from that of all other herons. 

 Boat-bills are usually placed in a separate family, although in habit and in general 

 appearance they resemble night-herons. The single species has three geographical 

 forms and ranges from Brazil to southern Mexico. 



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