THE WATER RAIL. 
581 
The general color of this bird is blackish -brown above ; the head and upper part of the 
neck are covered with downy feathers of blackish-brown sprinkled with white. 
Another well-known example, the Crested Screamer, or Chaja, is a finer-looking bird 
than the preceding species, though its head is without the singular appendage that gives the 
Horned Screamer so unique an aspect. The name of Chaja is given to this bird on account of 
its cry, that of the male bird being “chaja” and of the female “chajali.” 
It is a native of Brazil and Paraguay, and is generally found near the banks of rivers. It 
is a shy and generally solitary bird, being mostly seen singly, sometimes in pairs, and now and 
then in small flocks. Like the horned Screamer, the Chaja is armed with two spurs on each 
wing, and can employ them to such purpose, that it can drive away even a vulture. Unless 
attacked, however, the bird is quiet, and as it is easily tamed, it may be often seen domesti- 
cated in the houses. 
The walk of this bird is bold and dignified ; the body is held rather horizontal and the 
head and neck erect. The flight is strong and sweeping, and the bird rises on circling wings 
somewhat after the manner of the eagle, after obtaining so great an elevation as to be hardly 
discernible against the sky. The food of the Chaja consists mostly of aquatic plants, which it 
obtains by wading. The nest of this bird is a rather large edifice of sticks and leaves, and is 
placed near water. The number of eggs is two, and the young are able to follow their parents 
almost as soon as hatched. 
The general hue of the Chaja is a leaden-blue color, diversified with black. The bend of 
the wing is white, and there is a large spot of the same hue at the base of the primaries. 
Round the neck is a black collar, the small head is furnished with a crest, the upper part of 
the neck is clothed with down, and the space round the eye is naked and blood-red in color. 
We now come to the large family of the Rails, a curious group of birds, formed for rapid 
movement either on the ground or through the water, but not particularly adapted for long 
flights. Many species inhabit Europe. 
The Water Rail, one of the examples of this family, is "but seldom seen, partly because 
it really is not very plentiful, and partly on account of its shy and retiring habits, and its 
powers of concealment. It frequents ponds, lakes, and similar localities, haunting those 
places where luxuriant reed-beds afford it shelter and covert. On the least alarm it sets off 
for the place of refuge, diving to a considerable distance and always pressing towards the 
reeds, through which it glides with wonderful address, and is immediately out of danger. 
Even a trained dog can hardly flush a Water Rail when once it has reached its reedy refuge, 
as the bird can thread the reeds faster than the dog can break its way through them, and has 
always some deep hole or other convenient hiding-place where a dog cannot reach it. 
The food of the Water Rail consists mostly of insects, worms, leeches, mollusks, and 
similar creatures, all of which can be found either upon the aquatic herbage or in the muddy 
banks. Mr. Thompson mentions a curious instance of the readily domesticative and insect- 
hunting propensities of this bird. “Some time ago I saw in a gunsmith’s shop, one of these 
birds, which had been taken alive a day or two before. It was very expert in catching flies in 
the shop window, running a tilt at them quite regardless of the presence of the stumbling- 
blocks which beset its path in the form of pistols, turn-screws, etc. When approached, this 
bird struck wickedly with its bill and feet, but never with its spurred wings.” In the stomach 
of these birds the same writer found the remains of aquatic mollusks, worms, and a few seeds, 
and portions of leaves. In captivity it will thrive on raw meat chopped small. 
While walking, the bird has a habit of flirting up its odd little tail, so as to show the 
white under tail-coverts. The nest of the Water Rail is sheltered by the thickest herbage of 
the covert, and is made of coarse grass. There are about seven or eight eggs, and their color 
is buff y- white spotted with brown. The young are odd little creatures, round, and covered 
with soft thick down. Almost immediately after their emancipation from the egg-shell, these 
little puffy balls of down tumble into the water, and swim about as merrily as if they had 
been accustomed to the exercise for years. 
