. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of their various orders, with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . Fig. 117.—Horned Screamer. which are sat on during the night only, the temperature produced bya tropical sun supplying the necessary warmth. As soon as hatchedthe young ones leave the nest, and are able to follow their parents.^ The Common Jacana {Farm Jacajia, Fig. 116) is black, withneck and shoulders of a reddish brown, and green wmg-feathers. 304 REPTILES AND BIRDS. The Chinese Jacana {Hydrophasiamis sinensis), another speciesof this family, is black and
. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of their various orders, with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . Fig. 117.—Horned Screamer. which are sat on during the night only, the temperature produced bya tropical sun supplying the necessary warmth. As soon as hatchedthe young ones leave the nest, and are able to follow their parents.^ The Common Jacana {Farm Jacajia, Fig. 116) is black, withneck and shoulders of a reddish brown, and green wmg-feathers. 304 REPTILES AND BIRDS. The Chinese Jacana {Hydrophasiamis sinensis), another speciesof this family, is black and white j excellent food, but very difficult toshoot on account of its wariness ; however, it is easily domesticated,when it becomes impudent and pugnacious. The Screamers {Fa/medea), which are inhabitants of SouthAmerica, have the beak shorter than the head, slightly Fig. ii8.—Faithful Kamichi or Crested Screamer. and bent at the point; the wings are wide-spreading, and providedwith strong spurs on the shoulders ; the toes are separated, andfurnished with long, stout, and pointed claws. Their plumage is of ablackish hue. Their size is about that of a Turkey. Their favouritehaunts are moist, marshy localities, such as inundated savannahs,or the oozy banks of shallow streams. Although they do not swim,they venture on the water in search of aquatic plants and naturalists,* founding their belief on the presence of spurs THM SCREAMERS. 305 with which this bird is provided, assert that it attacks small reptilesand destroys them. This is now acknowledged to be an birds live isolated, in pairs; they are mild and peaceful intlieir nature, the breeding season is the only time when they seem atall disposed to use their weapons. At this period the cocks engagein deadly conflict to gain possession of some favourite mate. Theunion once
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectreptiles, bookyear1
