CHINESE 1 XCASA.—Hydarophasicmus Siiien 



number, and their colour is olive-brown. These birds breed during the rains, and choose 

 those spots where the lotus is plentiful. The voice resembles the mewing of a distressed 

 kitten, to which fact is owing its native name of Meewa. 



The colours of the male bird are bold and striking. The back and under parts are 

 deep chocolate-brown, the elongated tail is a still darker brown ; and the wings, top of the 

 head, throat, and part of the neck are white. The back of the neck is orange, and a 

 narrow black line separates it from the white of the throat. The legs, toes, and licak are 

 grass-gi'eeu. At the end of the primary feathers are certain filamentous and somewhat 

 lancet-shaped appendages, which, according to some writers, hinder the bird in its flight. 

 The female is quite sober in her plumage. The upper part of the body and head is pale 

 brown, warming to red on the forehead. From the bill a dark streak passes through the 

 eye and down the side of the neck, and above that is another streak of buffy orange. 

 The throat and under parts are white, and a broad coUar of dark brown encircles the 

 juQction of the neck and breast. 



The suli-family of the Screamers is here represented by two very curious birds, both 

 of them being large birds, having their wings armed with formidable claws capable of 

 being used with much effect as weapons of offence. 



The Horned Screamer, or I^michi, is a native of Central America, and is found in 

 the vast swamps and morasses of that hot and moist country, wliere the vegetation 

 springs np in gigantic luxuriance and the miasmatic morasses give liirth to reptiles and 

 creeping things innumeraV)le. Tlie large s]inrs on the wings are valuable to the bii'd in 

 repelUug the attacks of the numerous snakes, and guarding itself and young from their 



