176 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



but is more like a Rail in its appearance, which is 

 most singular. 



The colouring of the plumage heightens the 

 singularity of its appearance : the head, neck, and 

 underparts being black ; the shoulders, back, and 

 wing-coverts chestnut ; while the quills, which have 

 a bright satiny lustre, are apple-green in colour, and 

 in some lights appear golden-yellow. 



In the southern part of the Plata district the Jacana 

 is migratory, arriving from the north in Buenos 

 Ayres early in October, either 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, fre- 

 quently 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 horseback 

 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 

 joiu-ney 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 ghding» When rising 



