GRAi.i-ir:. 25f> 



(I.) Furnished with a liind toe. 



a. Toes are remarkably long, and flattened below. Oa 

 their sides may be observed a margin more or less broad, 

 but which does not unite the toes at the base. These 

 characters enable the species, according to their develop- 

 ment, to wade in marshy ground, and even to svv im in lakes. 

 'J'he bill is compressed and slender. The sternum is re- 

 markably narrow, so that the body appears to be com- 

 pressed. Tiie wings are short. They run fast, but seldom 

 attempt to fly. M. Cuvier has divided this family, which 

 he terms Macrodactyi.es, in such as have the winglets 

 armed with spines, and such as have the winglets unarmed. 

 The observations, however, which we have been able to 

 make, induce us to conclude, that the winglets in all the 

 genera are armed. In two genera, however, the spines are 

 more obvious than in the others. 



Spines on the wings produced. Claw of the hind toe 

 produced. 



161. Para. Jacana. Bill tapering, obtuse. P.jacana. 



162. Palamedia. Screamer. Bill conic, upper man- 

 dible arched. P. cornuta. 



Spines on the wings obscure. 



Forehead covered. The feathers between the eyes 

 spinous. 



163. Rallus. Rail. Bill produced, longer than the 

 head. Under mandible even at the symphysis. R. aqtia- 

 iicus. 



164. Oktygometra. Crake. Bill conical, and shorter 

 than the head. Under mandible forming an angle at the 

 symphysis. O. crex, or corn-crake. 



Forehead with a naked stripe. Feathers between the 

 eyes soft. A coloured band above the knee. Symphysis 

 of the lower mandible angular. Bill conical, and about the 

 length ol" the head. 



