'27 '2 



VEllTEBliATA. 



Porphfrio, one species of wl.irh, P. hjacinthinus, is very beautiful, and foun.l in Soutliern Kuropc 

 n-s well as parts of Africa :in<l Asia. 



THE HORNED SCREAMER. 



Genus PALAMEDEA : Palamcdca. — To this belongs the Kamiciii or Horned Screamer, P. 

 cornnta, larger than a grouse ; the plumage greenish-brown above, with a reddish spot on the 

 shoulder ; two strong spurs on the edge of each wing, and a pointed, triangular flexible horn, about 

 three inches long, on the top of the head. Another remarkable peculiarity is, that the skin is 

 separated from the flesh by a considerable interval, occupied by a loose, cellular structure, which 

 is filled with air, so that the skin crackles under the pressure of the hand. The same curious 

 arranofement is found in some frannets and cormorants. This bird is common in Guiana and Brazil, 

 where it lives in pairs, in marshy places, feeds on grains and aquatic herbs, and makes the air 

 resound with its loud, wild cries. It is called Camouche in Guiana, and Anhima in Brazil. The 

 Chaja, Chauna chavaria, is a closely-allied species, thirty-two inches long, and has a clarion- 

 like note, uttered by night and dav, whenever it is excited by a noise. It is domesticated with 

 other fowls by the natives of Paraguay and Colombia, where it is found. 



THE SCOLOPACID^ OE Sj^PES. 



This family includes several allied groups, as the Phalaropes^ True Snipes, Sandpipers, Curlews, 

 Tatlers, Avocets, &c. 



THE PHALAROPES. 



Genus PHALAROPUS : Phalaropus. — This contains the Northern or Gray Phalarope, '■ 

 — phalarope of the French — P . platyrliyndius or P. hyperhoreus. The females are a little the ' 

 largest ; medium length eight inches ; general color pearl-gray above, white beneath ; feeds on 

 thin-skinned crustaca and aquatic insects; eggs usually four. They procure their food principally 

 upon the water, on which they alight like ducks, and float as light as gulls, and move about in 

 search of food. The sight of a bank of floating sea-weed induces them to alight upon it, where j 



