CHAP. XVIII.] 



BIRDS. 



355 



The Parridse, or Jaeanas, are remarkable long-toed birds, often 

 of elegant plumage, frequenting swamps and marshes, and walk- 

 ing on the floating leaves of aquatic plants. They are found in 

 all the tropics. Parra (10 sp.), has the distribution of the family ; 

 Hydrophasianus (1 sp.), is confined to the Oriental region. 



FAMILY 104. GLAREOLID^E. (3 Genera, 20 Species.) 

 GENERAL DISTRIBUTION. 



This family, comprising the Pratincoles and Coursers, is 

 universally distributed over the Old World and to Australia. 



Glareola (9 sp.), has the distribution of the family ; Pluma- 

 nus (1 sp.), is confined to North Africa; Cursorius (10 sp.), 

 ranges over Africa, South Europe, and India. 



The position of the genus Glareola is uncertain, for though 

 generally classed here, Prof. Lilljeborg considers it to be an 

 aberrant form of the Caprimulgidae ! It differs, in its insecti- 

 vorous habits and in many points of external structure, from all 

 its allies, and should probably form a distinct family. 



FAMILY 105. CHAPtAlftlD^. (19 Genera, 101 Species.) 

 GENERAL DISTRIBUTION. 



,4 



The extensive family of the Plovers and their numerous allies, 

 ranges over the whole globe. The genera now usually admitted 

 into this family are the following : 



(Edicnemus (9 sp.), is only absent from North America; 

 .-Esacus (2 sp.), India to Ceylon, Malay Islands, and Australia ; 



