128 
THE COOT. 
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 sea- 
son, — 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 pines away and dies too. 
But, with all this warlike appearance, its cha- 
racter 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, as it not only 
feeds with them, but accompanies them into the 
fields, and brings them back in the evening. It has in 
consequence been named the faithful Jacana ( Parra 
chav aria). 
The fourth genus consists of the Rails, including 
our Corncrake and Water-rail, which may be called 
English Jacanas, — as, in manners and habits, there 
is a considerable resemblance : they differ from the 
Coots chiefly in having no plate or horny-shield 
covering the forehead, and from the Jacanas, in 
not having their w r ings armed with spines. They 
are rarely seen, as they feed, morning and evening, 
amongst reeds and marsh-growing plants, and con- 
ceal themselves during the day in long grass, or 
ditches, from whence it is difficult to rouse them, as 
they run very swiftly, and will not rise if they can 
avoid it. 
The fifth and last genus consists of Oyster- 
Catchers, or Sea-Pies, from the black and white 
