578 THE COMMON JACANA. 



ward by the coming of frost. March and October arc the months during which they generally 

 migrate. Some continue residing in the South. 



The Gray Phalarope (Phaldropus fulicarivs) is one of the rare birds, belonging rightly 

 to the limits of the Arctic circle, and coming southward in the autumn. 



It is a light and active bird, living and swimming with great address, and braving the 

 raging sea with easy courage. The body of this bird is singularly buoyant, so that the Phala- 

 • rope rides on the waters like a cork, bidding defiance to the waves, and circling about the 

 surface with an ease and rapidity that reminds the observer of the whirligig beetles that urge 

 their ceaseless wheels on the surface of our shady streams. It is a bold bird, caring little for 

 the presence of human beings, and suffering itself to be approached without displaying fear. 

 Moreover, when made prisoner it becomes familiar with its captor in a very short time, and in 

 a few hours will eat out of his hand. The general food of the Gray Phalarope consists of 

 marine creatures, such as mollusks and little crustaceans, but when it comes to the shore the 

 bird will feed on larvae and various insects. While swimming it has a habit of nodding its 

 head at each stroke. The Might is said to resemble that of the terns. 



The plumage differs greatly according to the season of year. In the winter, the head, 

 back of the neck, and back are dark blackish-brown, and these feathers are surrounded by an 

 orange border. There is a white band on the wing, and the front of the neck and lower parts 

 of the body are dull red. In the winter, the upper parts of the body are pearly-ash, the 

 centres of the feathers being darker than their edges. The white band on the wing is 

 retained, and the breast and lower parts are pure white. The bill is brown at the point, 

 and orange-red at the base. The Gray Phalarope is but a small bird, its length being 

 about eight inches. The Ped-necked Phalarope (Phaldropus hypobbreus) is also an inhabit- 

 ant of Europe. 



The Red Phalarope [Phaldropus fulicarius). The range of habitat of this bird is 

 essentially the same as that of the northern. It is particularly a maritime bird, and seldom is 

 seen in the interior. It is known as Red Phalarope in America. It is, however, mentioned 

 by Ridgway as seen in Illinois and < >hio. Its length is about nine inches, and extent of wing 

 fifteen. Authors speak of the other species of Phalarope turning to look at the intruder. 

 Wilson says of this species: "I was particularly struck with its peculiar manners. It was 

 sitting on the water and dipping its bill in as if feeding, and turning frequently around.'' 



The Mexican Jagana (Parra gymnostoma) is an occasional visitor in the southwestern 

 portions of the United States. The Jacanas are remarkable for the extraordinary development 

 of their toes, which are so long and so slender that they seem to have been drawn out like wire, 

 and to impede the progress of their owner. These elongated toes are, however, of the greatest 

 use, as they enable the bird to walk upon the floating leaves which overspread the surface of 

 many rivers, and to pick its food from and between the leaves on which it walks. As the bird 

 marches upon the leaves, the long toes dividing the pressure upon several leaves at each step, 

 they are slightly sunk below the surface by the weight, so that the bird appears to be really 

 walking upon the water. 



The Common Jacana is a native of Southern America, and there other species scattered 

 over Africa, Asia, and Australia. Mr. Gould tells us that the Australian species is a good 

 diver, but a bad flyer. "Their powers of diving and of remaining under water are equal to 

 those of any bird I have ever met with ; on the other hand, the powers of flight are very weak. 

 They will, however, mount up fifteen or twenty yards and fly from one end of the lake to the 

 other, a distance of half or three-quarters of a mile ; but generally they merely rise above the 

 surface of the water and lly off for about a hundred yards. During flight their long legs are 

 thrown out horizontally to their full length. While feeding, they utter a slowly-repeated 

 'cluck, cluck." Tlie stomach is extremely muscular, and the' food consists of aquatic insects 

 and some kind of vegetable matter.*' 



