PARR A SUPERCILIOSA. 
* > 
as a variety, by the epithet of minor. In the Systematic Catalogue of Birds 
from Java, this name was also applied to it; and this confirms the propriety 
of its employment, as it was given before any reference had been made to the 
drawings of Dr. Hamilton, to whom is due this notice of the priority of its 
application. Our bird agrees with the other Jacanas in the great length of the 
tarsi and toes. I have therefore to remark, that on our Plate the tarsi are 
represented in ^ small degree shower than should have been the case ; this has 
arisen from the attitude in which the specimen in the Museum was placed. 
The Parra superciliosa measures, from the point of the bill to the end of the 
tail, eleven inches and one half ; the entire length of the bird, from the bill to the 
extended toes, is nearly eighteen inches : the individuals vary considerably in size. 
The plumage of the head, neck, breast, and body underneath, is deep black, with 
a reflection of the most saturated green, which, when exposed to the light, exhibits 
a gloss of deep emerald green. The greater and lesser coverts of the wings have a 
tint of deep olive green, with a metallic lustre, inclining to brown. All these 
feathers are lengthened, and directed across the wing, and are capable of being 
raised so as to expose the spur. The direction of the secondary quill-feathers appears 
to be similar ; the wing is consequently of great breadth, and peculiarly fitted to 
assist the bird in walking. The jgiiiU-feathers, both primary and secondary, are 
black ; but this tint towards the extremity passes into brown, and has a considerable 
splendour. The tail has a brilliant brown colour, inclining to reddish ; this is more 
saturated on the coverts of the tail, and acquires a dark violet or purple gloss, which 
is observably more intensely tinctured on the lower part of the neck, and also slightly 
shews itself on the plumes which cover the back. A* pure white line extends from the 
anterior angle of the eye along the head towards the neck, affording a strongly 
marked character to our bird. The colour of the bill is sulphureous yellow on every 
part, excepting the upper mandible, from the nostrils to the forehead ; here the 
membranaceous covering of the base of the bill, and the frontal clypeus, is of a dark 
blue colour inclining to brown ; the clypeus itself is large, and almost regularly 
rounded. The feet have a brownish gray colour, and the irides are dark brown. 
The spur of the wings is conical, obtuse, of moderate length, and of a yellow colour. 
In Dr. Hamilton's drawing of the Parra superciliosa, the distribution*of colours 
is precisely the same as in the Javanese specimens, but the tints are less brilliant. 
At the base of the upper mandible an attenuated red line, nearly half an inch in 
length, is observed, which is mentioned in Dr. Latbtm's description. In its manners 
the Parra superciliosa agrees with other birds of this genus : it is by no means rare 
near the confines of lakes, or of artificial reservoirs of water, in many parts of Java. 
