332 THE JACANA. 



far beyond the average numbers frequenting the neigh- 

 bouring meres or marshes. 



The third genus in this table comprises the Jacanas, 

 a tribe of Waders, or rather we should say, walkers on 

 the water; for, by means of their very long toes, they 

 are enabled to walk with ease over the large water-plants, 

 whose leaves form a floor, as it were, over the surface. 

 They are inhabitants of the marshes of warm climates, 

 and so shy, that those who hunt for them can only ap- 

 proach by covering themselves with leaves. 



TL.e Foot of the .African Jacana. 



The means of defence in some of the Jacana species 

 are very singular. Thus, the Horned Screamer (Pala- 

 tnadea cornuta), of which we annex a plate, so called 

 from its peculiar shrill and piercing cry, and the long 

 horn upon its head, is abundantly supplied with spurs ; 

 having, in addition to this upon its head, two very sharp 

 ones upon each wing, and, by means of these spines, they 

 fight dreadfully during the breeding season, the con- 

 queror remaining with a selected female, to whom he 

 remains constant. So attached indeed are they to each 

 other, that if one dies, the survivor usually pines away 

 and dies too. 



But, with all this warlike appearance, its character is 

 rather mild : one species is often tamed, and from its 

 being a resolute enemy to certain birds of prey, which 

 make sad havoc in the poultry-yards, the inhabitants of 

 the countries where it is found, rear it as a protector 

 for their fowls, as it not only feeds with them, but 



