GREY PHALAROPE,— PAa/fij-Qjyjis fidicarius. 



captor in a very short time, and in a few hours -will eat out of his haud. The general food 

 of the Grey Phalarope consists of marine creatures, sucli as molluscs and little 

 crustaceans, but when it comes to the shore the bird will feed on larvae and various 

 insects. While swimming it has a habit of nodding its head at each stroke. The flight 

 is said to resemlile that of the terns. 



The plumage differs greatly according to the season of year. In the winter the 

 head, back of the neck, and back are dark blackish brown and these feathers are 

 surrounded by an orange border. There is a white band on the wing, and the frtuit of the 

 neck and lower parts of the body are dull red. In the winter the upper parts of the body 

 are pearly ash, the centres of the feathers being darker than their edges. The white band 

 on the wing is retained, and the breast and lower parts are pure white. The bill is 

 brown at the point, and orange-red at the base. The Grey Phalarope is but a small liird, 

 its length being abfjut eight inches. The Red Necked Phalarope {Phaldropus hr/jJobureiis) 

 is also an inhabitant of England. 



The two curious birds which are depicted in the accompanying illustration are 

 examples of the Jacanas. All these birds are remarkable for the extraordinary develop- 

 ment of their toes, which are so long and so slender that they seem to have been drawn 

 out like wire, and to imj^ede the progress of their owner. Tliese elongated toes are, how- 

 ever, of the greatest use, as they enable the bird to walk upon the floating leaves which 

 overspread the surface of many rivers, and to pick its food from and between the leaves 

 on which it walks. As the bird marches upon the leaves, the long toes dividing the 

 pressure upon several leaves at each step, they are slightly sunk below the surface by the 

 weight, so that the bird appears to be really walking upon water. 



The Common Jacana is a native of Southern America, and there are other species 

 scattered over Africa, Asia, and Australia. Mr. Gould tells us that the Australian species 

 is a good diver, but a bad tlier. "Tlieir powers of diving and of remaining under water 

 are equal to those (d" any bird I have ever met with ; on the other haud, tlie powers 

 of flight are very weak. They will, however, nmunt \\]^ fifteen or twenty yards and lly 



