to 4 



cassell's book of birds. 



the last-mentioned species, and largely distributed throughout the warm and temperate parts of the 

 earth. These birds are characterised by their powerful, compactly-built body, moderately long neck, 

 large head, and short, strong, deep, thick beak, the culmen of which is strongly arched ; and in most 

 instances are further distinguished by a naked projection from the beak, which spreads over the 

 forehead. Their legs are strong and of moderate length, and their toes either very long, or provided 

 with broad lateral fringes or lobes. Their wings are short, the third or fourth quill being usually 







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THE JACANA (Parra Jacaria). ONE-HALF NATURAL SIZE, 



the longest ; the tail is very short, and they are more or less without variety of tint. In their 

 anatomical structure they are very closely related to the Rallidce. 



All the Gallinida are inhabitants of marshy districts, and some of them might even be called 

 water-fowl. They usually prefer sedgy lakes, large swampy morasses and brooks, or ponds and 

 rivers well stocked with vegetation, but are without exception restricted to fresh water. They are 

 generally seen swimming about in open spaces. They run with less agility than the Rails, but far 

 surpass them in their powers of swimming and diving. Although these birds are by no means social 

 in disposition, they show a remarkable attachment to any locality of which they have taken possession, 

 keeping others, even of their own species, at a distance, and sometimes exhibit resolute courage 

 in driving away intruders much larger and .stronger than themselves. They also attack small birds 



