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THE JACANA, 
The means of defence in some of the Jacana species are \ 
very singular. Thus, the Horned Screamer ( Palamadea 
cor nut a), of which we annex a plate, so called from its 
peculiar shrill and piercing cry, and the long horn upon its 
head, is abundantly supplied with spurs ; having, in addition 
to this upon its head, two very sharp ones upon each wing, 
and, by means of these spines, they fight dreadfully during 
the breeding season, — the conqueror remaining with a selected 
female, to whom he remains constant. So attached indeed 
are they to each other, that if one dies, the survivor usually j 
pines away and dies too. 
But, with all this warlike appearance, its character is 
rather mild : one species is often tamed, and from its being 
a resolute enemy to certain birds of prey, which make sad 
havoc in the poultry-yards, the inhabitants of the countries 
where it is found, rear it as a protector for their fowls, 
Jacana walking on Water-Plants 
