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THE JACANA. 



The means of defence in some of the Jacana species are 

 very singular. Thus, the Horned Screamer (Palamadea 

 cornuta), of which we annex a plate, so called from its 

 peculiar shrill and piercing cry, and the long horn upon its 

 head, is abundantly supplied with spurs ; having, in addition 

 to this upon its head, two very sharp ones upon each wing, 

 and, by means of these spines, they fight dreadfully during 

 the breeding season, the conqueror remaining with a selected 

 female, to whom he remains constant. So attached indeed 

 are they to each other, that if one dies, the survivor usually 

 pines away and dies too. 



But, with all this warlike appearance, its character is 

 rather mild : one species is often tamed, and from its being 

 a resolute enemy to certain birds of prey, which make sad 

 havoc in the poultry-yards, the inhabitants of the countries 

 where it is found, rear it as a protector for their fowls, 



Jacana walking on Water-Planes 



