]38 BIRDS OF BRITISH GUIAXA. 



Mr. J. J. Qiielch (Timehri (2) v. p. 107) observed this specie?, 

 the Long-legged and Long-toed Spur-wing, at Georgetown. 



Mr. Lloyd Price (Timehri (2) v. p. G7) writes : — " Li the canals 

 and trenches, and almost in the water itself, the eggs of the Spur- 

 wing {Parra jacana) are fouml, usually on a thick mass of 

 water-weed ; the eggs are generally four in number^ and of an 

 olive-brown, spotted and streaked with Idack." 



Mr. Beebe (Our Search for a Wilderness, p. 354) writes : — 

 " Spur-winged Jacanas in loud cackling pairs were everywhere, 

 showing conspicuously against the green reeds, dark chccolate 

 when at rest and flashing pale yellow in flight." 



Id, (t. c, p. 378) : — "Among the smaller marsh-birds, Jacanas 

 easily held first place, both in numbers and in action and voice, 

 day and night. About every half-hour through the day a group 

 of these birds would set up a Avild and frantic clucking, sounding 

 as if a dozen hens were being pursued and had about given up all 

 hope of escape. This was usually caused by the appearance of a 

 crocodile, large or small, from beneath the lily j)ads. All the 

 Jacanas within sight would gather at once and dance excitedly 

 about on the surrounding pads, until the ])estered re})tile sank 

 again into the muddy waters." 



Id. (t c. p. 384) (Abary River): — "A Jacana was leading her 

 brood of three small chicks within a few feet of my hammock, 

 down to a causeway of trembling lily pads. T);e youngsters were 

 very tiny, clad in grey with a large black mark on the nape. 

 Even in comparison with their mother their toes were of enor- 

 mous length. They ke[)t at her very heels and when she stoj>ped 

 for a moment crept beneath her wings." 



Family BURHINIDiE. 



These birds hold a somewhat intermediate position between the 

 Bustards and Plovers. They are distributed in Europe, Africa, 

 Asia, and Australia, San Domingo, Central and South America. 

 Two species are known in South America, one of which occurs in 

 British Guiana. 



Genus CEDICNEMUS Temm. 



(EiUcirrmns Temminc-k, Man. d'Orn. 181.3, p. .321. Type CE. oeilicnemus 

 (Linn.). 



The members t»f this genus have rather long legs, short toes. 



