BRASILIAN SPUR-WINGED WATER-HEN. 
fore-side of the body of this bird, are black ' 
tinged with violet. The great quills of the ' 
wing are greenish ; the rest of the upper sur- 
face is fine chesnut, with a purplish or ferru» 
ginous cast. Each wing is armed with a 
pointed spur, inserted in the shoulder, exa6tly 
like the spines of the Crisped Ray-Fish, A 
membrane, taking it's origin at the root of the 
bill, spreads on the front, and divides into three 
portions, leaving also a barbel on each side. 
The bill is straight, somewhat inflated at the 
point, and of a fine yellow jonquil colour, hke 
the spurs. The tail is very short : and this 
chara(9:er, as well as the form of the bill ; the 
tail ; the toes ; and the height of the legs, of 
which the half are covered with feathers ; be» 
longs, equally, to all the species of Jacanas. 
Marcgrave seems to exaggerate, when he com- 
pares their bulk to that of a Pigeon ; for their 
body is not larger than the Quail's, only their 
legs are much taller. Their neck is also longer, 
and their head smaller. They are always very 
lean j yet, it is said, their flesh is palatable. 
** The first species of Jacana is pretty com« 
moa 
