1876.] MR. W. H. HUDSON ON THE HABITS OF RAILS. 103 



the streams and visit their favourite fishing-sites. They are very 

 active at night, retiring again at the approach of morning, and some- 

 times spend the day perched on trees. 



As the breeding-season draws near they become exceedingly clamor- 

 ous, making the marshes resound day and night with their long 

 wailing cries. The nest is built amongst the rushes, and contains 

 ten or twelve eggs, large for the bird, slightly elliptical, sparsely 

 marked with large blotches of pale brown and purple, the whole egg 

 having a cloudy appearance. When the nest is approached, the 

 parent birds utter sharp angry notes as they walk about at a dis- 

 tance from the intruder. Young and old birds live in company till 

 the following spring. 



The Carau is more nocturnal than the Rails, and, having a far 

 more powerful flight, takes to wing more readily : in general appear- 

 ance, and in its gestures and motions when on the ground and when 

 rising, it closely resembles them. 



The Jacana (Parra jacana), arrives from the north in Buenos 

 Ayres early in October, coming singly or in small parties. In their 

 migration they appear to follow the course of the Plata ; and, though 

 some individuals are found breeding inland, they are for the most part 

 confined to the littoral marshes. 



The Jacanas journey by very easy stages, frequently alighting to 

 rest by the way ; for they are so incapable of sustained flight that 

 boys on the pampas occasionally take them, pursuing them on horse- 

 back till the birds drop down exhausted. I believe the migratory 

 Rails travel in the same way — a matter not easily determined, as they 

 migrate by night ; but they are feeble-winged creatures, and when 

 driven to rise flutter away as if wounded. I have observed the 

 Jacanas migrating by day, but would not for this reason affirm that 

 they do not journey by night, since the Bartram's Sandpiper and other 

 species journey both day and night. 



The Jacana flies swiftly, in a straight line and close to the surface : 

 the wings flutter rapidly ; and there are frequent intervals of gliding. 

 When rising it presents a most novel appearance, as the lovely pale 

 green of the wings is quite concealed when the bird is at rest ; the 

 beauty of its flight is thus greatly enhanced by the sudden display 

 of a hue so rare and delicate. At a distance from the beholder, and 

 in a strong sunshine, the wings appear of a shining golden yellow. 

 Not only when flying does the Jacana make a display of its beau- 

 tiful wings ; without rising it has a way of exhibiting them, appear- 

 ing to delight as much in them as the Cockatoo does in its crest or 

 the Peacock in its train. When several of these birds live in com- 

 pany, occasionally they all in one moment leave their feeding, and 

 with quick excited notes, and clustering together in a close group, 

 go through a singular and pretty performance, all together holding 

 their wings outstretched and agitated, some with a rapid fluttering, 

 others a slow-moving leisurely motion like that of a butterfly sunning 

 itself. The performance over, the birds peaceably scatter again. 1 

 have never observed Jacanas fighting. 



Soon after coming they pair, and build a simple nest with few 



