164 PARRID.E. 



being enormously long, the head ornamented with red lobes, and the 

 wings armed with spurs, these and the beak being of a bright yellow. 

 The colouring of the plumage heightens the novelty of its appearance : 

 the head, neck, and underparts being black; the shoulders, back, and 

 wing-coverts chestnut ; while the quills, which have a bright satiny lustre, 

 are apple-green in colour, and in some lights appear golden yellow. 



In the southern part of the Plata district the Jacana is migratory, 

 arriving from the north in Buenos Ay res early in October, either singly 

 or in small parties. In their migration they appear to follow the 

 course of the Plata ; and, though some individuals are found breeding 

 inland, they are for the most part confined to the littoral marshes. 



The Jacanas journey by very easy stages, frequently alighting to rest 

 by the way ; for they are so incapable of sustained flight that boys on 

 the pampas occasionally take them, pursuing them on horseback till 

 the birds drop down exhausted. I believe the migratory Rails travel 

 in the same way a matter not easily determined, as they migrate by 

 night ; but they are feeble-winged creatures, and when driven to rise 

 flutter away as if wounded. I have observed the Jacanas migrating by 

 day, but would not for this reason affirm that they do not journey by 

 night, since the Bartram's Sandpiper and other species journey both 

 day and night. 



The Jacana flies swiftly, in a straight line and close to the surface : 

 the wings flutter rapidly ; and there are frequent intervals of gliding. 

 When rising it presents a most novel appearance, as the lovely pale 

 green of the wings is quite concealed when the bird is at rest; the 

 beauty of its flight is thus greatly enhanced by the sudden display 

 of a hue so rare and delicate. At a distance from the beholder, and in 

 a strong sunshine, the wings appear of a shining golden yellow. Not 

 only when flying does the Jacana make a display of its beautiful wings; 

 without rising it has a way of exhibiting them, appearing to delight as 

 much in them as the Cockatoo does in its crest or the Peacock in its 

 train. When several of these birds live in company^ occasionally they 

 all in one moment leave their feeding, and with quick excited notes, 

 and clustering together in a close group, go through a singular and 

 pretty performance, all together holding their wings outstretched and 

 agitated, some with a rapid fluttering, others with a slow-moving leisurely 

 motion like that of a butterfly sunning itself. The performance over, 

 the birds peaceably scatter again. I have never observed Jacanas 

 fighting. 



Shortly after arriving they pair, and build a simple nest with few 

 materials, usually on the floating weeds. The eggs are four, in shape 

 like Snipe's eggs, and have deep-brown spots on a pale yellowish- brown 



