234 LECTURE VI, 



with greenish, iridescent variegations, according 

 to the direction of the light. It is naturally an 

 inhabitant of Russia, Siberia, and other distant 

 regions, and is the Numenius igneus of modern 

 ornithologists. 



Another exotic species much allied to this, and 

 which though a native of South- Am erica, has been 

 seen on the British coasts, is the N. Guarauna, 

 which is by Linnaeus referred to his genus Scolopax. 

 I must also here observe that the supposed Egyp- 

 tian Ibis or the Abbou Hannes of Bruce, may be 

 considered as a Numenius rather than a Linnsean 

 Tantalus. 



Among the most singular genera of the Grallte 

 or Waders, is a genus called Parr a. It is distin- 

 guished by a slightly obtuse beak of moderate 

 length, by a rising scolloped flap or naked skin 

 above the base of the bill in front, by a spine or 

 sharp horny process on each shoulder, and lastly 

 by the immoderate length of the toes and claws, 

 which in some specie^ nearly equal half the length 

 of the body. The Parra variabilis or variable, 

 Parra, called the Jacana, is well figured in the 

 works of Edwards, and is of a chesnut colour 

 above, white beneath, with green wings. It is a 



