268 



The Naturalist in La Plata. 



renewed in all their power. While screaming the 

 birds rush from side to side, as if possessed with 

 madness, the wings spread and vibrating, the long 

 beak wide open and raised vertically. This 

 exhibition lasts three or four minutes, after which 

 the assembly peacefully breaks up. 



The singular wattled, wing-spurred, and long- 

 toed jacana has a remarkable performance, which 

 seems specially designed to bring out the concealed 



Wing-display of Jacauas. 



beauty of the silky, greenish-golden wing-quills. 

 The birds go singly or in pairs, and a dozen or 

 fifteen individuals may be found in a marshy place 

 feeding within sight of each other. Occasionally, 

 in response to a note of invitation, they all in a 

 moment leave off feeding and fly to one spot, and, 

 forming a close cluster, and emitting short, excited, 

 rapidly repeated notes, display their wings, like 

 beautiful flags grouped loosely together : some hold 



