THE BOATBILL. THE U MBit E. 
107 
bill, and bending forward like that of the fabulous unicorn 
of the ancients. This horn is not much thicker than a 
crow-quill, as round as if it were turned in a lathe, and of 
an ivory colour. But this is not the only instrument of 
battle this formidable bird carries ; it seems to be armed at 
all points; for at the fore-part of each wing, at the second 
joint, sprinc two straight triangulai spurs, about as thick 
as one’s little linger : the foremost of these goads or spurs 
is above an inch long ; the hinder is shorter, and both of a 
dusky colour. The claws also- are long and sharp ; the 
colour is black and white ; and they cry terribly loud. 
They are never found alone, but always in pairs; the cock 
and hen prowl together ; and their fidelity is said to be 
such, that when one dies the other never departs from the 
carcase, but dies with its companion. It makes its nest of 
c lay, near the bodies of trees upon the ground, of the shape 
?f an oven. There is another species of Screamer which 
18 crested and without the horn. 
The Boatbiel is also a native of America. It is about 
'he size of a common fowl. The general colour of the bill 
* s dusky, and the skin beneath the under jaw is capable of 
distention. From the hind head springs a long black crest. 
The plumage on the forehead is white, and the rest of the 
bird is a pale bluish ash colour ; and the feathers which 
bang over the breast are loose, like those of the heron. 
There are varieties of this bird, both spotted and brown, 
but they appear simple varieties, and not at all entitled to 
'be denomination of species. Like the king lisher, it preys 
"Pon fish, by perching on trees which over-hang the streams, 
and dropping on the fish as they swim by it. 
. I he Umbre is the size of a crow, and not much cliffer- 
! n g in colour, as it is of a deep brown, or umbre. The bill 
three inches and a half in length, with a furrow on each 
s, de the upper mandible, and from the head springs a large 
P.'ast of loose feathers, better than four inches in length. 
he bird now described came from the Cape ol Good 
Bope. "We k now 0 f but one species. 
, T he Jacana is found in most of the tropical climates, 
„ ut is most common in South America. It is remarkable 
nt the length of its toes, and for the wings being armed in 
• r °nt with sharp spurs. There are about ten species diner- 
* n g in size from that of a common fowl to that of a watei- 
81 ’ They vary also in their plumage, some being brown, 
