iSSS.] El.LU)T on the JacanidiE. 29 1 



tract. TliL- skulls of the Jacanidaj are schizorhinal, with well-de- 

 veloped basipterygoid processes ; the vomer is apicallj emargi- 

 iiate ; no trace of occipital fontanelles, and the supraorbital 

 impressions are absent. The pelvis exhibits its Limicoline affin- 

 ities by having the ilia wider, and more expanded anteriorly, by 

 having hardly any median projection on the postacetabular ridge, 

 and by being widest dorsally behind the antitrochanters. Between 

 the ischia and sacrum the bony plates are narrower, and the pos- 

 terior part of the renal fossaj more open. In certain species 

 whicli have the metacarpal spur less developed and blunt, the 

 radius for its distal half is dilated and flattened into a lamellar- 

 like expansion. About half of this radius is bare of muscle, and 

 the margin slightly roughened, and doubtless the bird is capable 

 of striking a severe blow with this scimitar-shaped bone. In the 

 species where the 'spur' is long and sharp, the radius is of the 

 usual form. Viewed anatomically, the Jacanas possess no crop, 

 but a muscular gizzard, the epithelium lining of which is hard 

 and thick. The gall bladder is well developed ; and the coeca are 

 very small, their length to that of the intestines being 3 (y. 

 j'acajia) a;ul 15 in. (//. cJiirtirgns) to I3 inches. It will thus 

 be seen tliat in many particulars the Jacanid:e difler from the 

 Rallicke, and approach the Limicoke ; but they possess sufficient 

 characteristics peculiar to themselves to constitute a distinct 

 Family, with the Charadriidaa as its nearest relatives. 



The Jacanas are characterized by narrow, rather long, pointed 

 bills; the nostril oblong, lateral, open, placed about midway in 

 the maxilla. Moderately long necks. Body small. Wings armed 

 witli a metacarpal spur, in some species well-developed and 

 sharp, in others blunt, or rudimentary. Head usually adorned 

 with a wattle of various shapes. Legs long and slender, toes 

 enormously lengthened with extremely long claws, that on the 

 hallux being often three times greater in length than the toe. 

 With these large feet, their passage over floating plants and 

 weeds is made expeditious and easy. 



Genera. 



Fortunately but few generic terms have been applied to these 

 birds, but the one not entitled to priority has been used by nearly 

 all ornithological writers from the time of Linnaeus to the present 



