23-* LECTURE VI. 



with greenish, iridescent variegations, according 

 to the direction of the light. It is naturally an 

 inhabitant of Russia, Siberia, and other distant 

 regions, and is the Numenius igneus of modern 

 ornithologists. 



Another exotic species much allied to this, and 

 which though a native of South-America., has been 

 seen on the British coasts, is the N. Gnarauna, 

 which is by Linnasus referred to his genus Scolopax. 

 J must also here observe that the supposed Egyp- 

 tian Ibis or the sfbbou Hanncs of Bruce, may be 

 considered as a Numenius rather than a Linnoean 

 Tantalus. 



Among the most singular genera of the Grallne 

 or Waders, is a genus called Parra. It is distin- 

 guished by a slightly obtuse beak of moderate 

 length, by a rising scolloped flap or naked skin 



above the base of the bill in front, by a spine or 



' 

 sharp horny process on each shoulder, and lastly 



by the immoderate length of the toes and claws, 

 which in some species nearly equal half the length 

 of the body. The Parra variabilis or variable 

 Parra, called the Jacana, is well figured in the 

 works of Edwards, and is of a chesm.it colour 

 .hove, white beneath, with green wings. It is a 



