. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. iUJ AATUKAL JilsTuMl. THE FIFTH SUB-FAMILY OF THE —THE FINFOOTS (HeUoniithlna-). These curious birds have the feet lobed as in the Coots, but differ in having a long bill and compressed head, not unlike that of a Heron, and also at the same time somewhat resembling that of a Grebe. Two genera are contrtined in this sub-family, the &st (Heliornis), having bvit a single species, generally known as tlic ^Vnuiican Finfoot (Heliornis fulica), from the tropical portions of Central and South America. Prince 3Liximilian of Neuwied sta
. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. iUJ AATUKAL JilsTuMl. THE FIFTH SUB-FAMILY OF THE —THE FINFOOTS (HeUoniithlna-). These curious birds have the feet lobed as in the Coots, but differ in having a long bill and compressed head, not unlike that of a Heron, and also at the same time somewhat resembling that of a Grebe. Two genera are contrtined in this sub-family, the &st (Heliornis), having bvit a single species, generally known as tlic ^Vnuiican Finfoot (Heliornis fulica), from the tropical portions of Central and South America. Prince 3Liximilian of Neuwied states that it is by no means rare on the rivers of Eastern Brazil, Imt fidiii its habit of concealing itself in the herbage it is not often observed. It may frequently be noticed .sitting on a thin branch, partially immersed in the water, and occupied in bowing its head in a most curious manner. The plumage is peculiarly soft. The bird is said to possess the powers of diving in an inferior degree to most of the Rails. In Africa tlie Heliornis is replaced by the genus Podica, of wliich there are three species, two peculiar to the Ethiopian region, while the third, the Masked Finfoot {Podica personata), is a native of the Burmese countries and Malacca. THE SECOND FAMILY OF THE , OR WADING BIRDS,—THE SNIPES (Scolopacidtc). No portion of the globe seems to be without some representative (rf this family, some of the niembei-s of which are migi-atory and extend over a wide range, whilst others are comparatively local, the Auckland Islands, for instance', possessing a species of Snipe peculiar to themselves. In the Scolopacida; the bill is long and very slender, as well as weak, so that instead of being firm and horny, as in most , it is flexible and bends under pressui-e. The wings are long and pointed, and the secondaries are extremel}^ long, nearly equal- ling the primaries in length. They frequent bogs and marshes or the banks of rivers and ditches, where the
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjecta, booksubjectanimals
