NATURAL HISTORY. 353 



Family IV. . . Palamedeidas. (Gr. ITaAa/^, the palm of the hand.) 

 Sub-family a. Parrince. 



PARKA. (Lat.) 



Jaeana, the Jacana. 



water itself. The common Jacana inhabits the hotter parts 

 of South America, and is abundant in Brazil and Guiana. It 

 possesses large and sharp spurs on the wing. 



THE CORNCRAKE. 



The CORNCRAKE or LANDRAIL is very common in England. 

 It reaches us at the beginning of April, and leaves us at the 

 end of October, after hatching its eggs. During the early part 

 of the summer months its harsh cry may be heard in almost 

 every field, but the bird is very seldom seen, as it threads its 

 way among the long grass with marvellous rapidity. Its cry 



