ERASILIAN SPUR-WINGED WATER-HEK. 
is the first figure given of this species. I have 
been the more particular in describing and 
figuring the feet, as Marcgrave says each toe 
had four joints ; the truth of v^^hich Wiliughb}^ 
doubts, in a Note to his Translation, and I 
have now proved to be an error : though it is 
a mistake that has been propagated ; for, in a 
fi.ne high-coloured drawing of this very S|)ecies, 
on vellum, by the Paintress Merian, preserved 
in the British Museum, the three forward toes 
in each foot have four joints. How this came 
to pass, is hard to judge: but, I suppose,' 
Merian has repaired an imperfedl bird, waiit- 
ing feet, from Marcgrave's description." 
BufFon, who makes this bird the first species 
of the Jacana, eje^fting it not only from the 
W ater-Hens, but even from those birds which 
are related to the Water-Hens, presents us 
with the foUowinp- account — 
o 
The Jacana of the Brasilians," says he, 
^' according to Marcgrave, must be ranged 
with the Water-Hens ; which it resembles in 
it's instiniSls, in it's habitSj in the round shape 
of 
