THE JACAXA. 311 



together, and then taken them up before they had time to 

 struggle. 



Foxes are said to he fond of Coots, and when the waters 

 they frequent are frozen up, it is not improbable that many 

 fall victims. This may probably account for their returning 

 in diminished numbers after long frosts. On a mere, where, 

 from constant observation, we knew the precise number, they 

 would remain as long as a few square yards of water were 

 unfrozen, sitting on the ice, or swimming with a sort of 

 despairing restlessness, round their rapidly contracting space, 

 as if unwilling, while hope of thaw was left, to seek shelter 

 elsewhere. Even when this, their last opening, is sealed up, 

 they will, for a day or two, linger amongst the rushes on the 

 borders ; but at length they disappear altogether, and may in 

 vain be sought for in the ditches and open streams adjacent. 

 As they do not return till many days after the frost has 

 broken up, and Ducks and other birds common to the mere 

 have reappeared, it is probable they migrate to some distance, 

 most likely to the sea- coast, where frost has little power, and 

 where we know, during very severe weather, they have been 

 observed to congregate in flocks far beyond the average 

 numbers frequenting the neighbouring 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 inha- 

 bitants of the marshes of warm climates, and so shy, that 

 those who hunt for them can only approach by covering them- 

 selves with leaves. 



The Foot of the African Jacana 



