PALAMEDEINiE. 
These  birds  are  peculiar  to  the  northern  parts  of  South  and  Central  America.  They  are  observed  in  the  ’ 
and  occasionally  on  the  borders  of  lakes  and  rivers.  In  pairs,  or  in  troops  of  many  individuals.  Their  manners  are 
shy  5 
but  when  not  scared  their  gait  is  stately  and  slow.  Their  flight  is  easy  and  swift ; but  they  are  unable  to  run,  u 
with  the  assistance  of  their  wings.  They  resort  to  rest  on  the  tops  of  high  trees.  The  Brazilian  species  is  kept 
natives  among  their  poultry ; it  goes  with  them  to  feed  about  the  neighbourhood  during  the  day ; and  during 
proves  very  useful  in  defending  the  poultry  against  the  attacks  of  the  numerous  birds  of  prey,  by  means  of  the 
on  the  bend  of  its  wings.  If  the  living  bird  is  handled,  a crackling  is  felt,  which  is  caused  by  the  quantity  of  uir 
is  lodged  between  the  skin  aird  muscles.  Marshy  and  inundated  places  are  preferred  by  these  birds,  as  their  food  o 
sists  solely  of  the  leaves  of  aquatic  plants,  grasses,  and  seeds.  Their  nest  is  spacious,  and  made  of  small 
trees,  and  is  usually  placed  in  a bush  surrounded  with  water ; but  sometimes  it  is  formed  among  reeds  and  ru 
The  female  lays  two  eggs. 
1.  C.  chavaria  (Linn.)  Illig.  Temni.  PI.  col.  219. — Opistholo- 
phus  fidelis  Vieill. 
2.  C.  Derbiana  G.  R.  Gray 
January,  1845. 
