THE SCREAMERS. 305 



with which this bird is provided, assert that it attacks small reptiles 

 and destroys them. This is now acknowledged to be an error. 

 These birds live isolated, in pairs ; they are mild and peaceful in 

 their nature, the breeding season is the only time when they seem at 

 all disposed to use their weapons. At this period the cocks engage 

 in deadly conflict to gain possession of some favourite mate. The 

 union once formed, it is indissoluble, and only terminates with the 

 death of one of them. It is even asserted that the survivor, deprived 

 of its mate, exhibits signs of great affliction, lingering for days near 

 the spot where cruel fate had severed him by death from his loved 

 partner. 



The Screamer has many points of resemblance to the Gallinaceous 

 order in its comparatively short and thick tarsi, general make and 

 gait, habits of life, and inoffensive nature. They are frequently 

 domesticated, and in that state are useful assistants to man. 



The Horned Screamer (Palamedea cornuta, Fig. 117) is thus 

 named on account of having on its head a horn-like excrescence, 

 which is straight, thin, and movable, about three inches long. 



The Crested Screamers {P. chavaria, Fig. 118) has, instead of 

 the horn, a crest of feathers arranged in a circle on the back of 

 its head. It is easily tamed, and becomes very friendly with 

 man, proving itself an active, intelligent, and devoted servant. It 

 becomes at once the companion and protector of the other denizens 

 of the poultry-yard — so much so, that in Brazil and Paraguay, where 

 it is known solely as the Chaja, the inhabitants confide to its 

 charge the care of their flocks of poultry, which it accompanies to 

 the fields in the morning, and at nightfall conducts them back to 

 their roosting-places. Should a bird of prey come near, the guardian 

 spreads out its broad wings, darts upon the intruder, and soon makes 

 it feel what a love of justice can do when aided by four stout spurs. 



LONGIROSTRES. 



The Birds composing this family are characterised by a long and 

 flexible bill, which is well adapted for boring in mud and soft 

 ground. They are indifferently shore or marsh birds. Among 

 them are comprised the Sandpipers, Turnstones, Ruffs, Knots, God- 

 wits, Woodcocks, Snipes, Curlews, and Ibis. 



The Sandpipers ( Totanus) have a long, straight, thin bill, flexible 

 at the base, but firmer towards the point ; the tarsi are slender and 

 elongated ; the wings very pointed ; the feet half webbed, the back 

 toe short, and touching the ground with the point only. They live in 



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