savannahs, and preys upon the swarms of small animals with which they
teem. In these localities, an incessant discord of jarring sounds arises
from the voices of the multifarious inhabitants, but high and shrill
above them all is heard the loud startling cry of the Horned Screamer.
Formidable snakes of all kinds infest these haunts; but by the aid of the
powerful, large, hard spurs upon the joint of each wing, it is enabled
to protect itself and its young from their assaults. If not attacked,
however, its habits are shy, and its disposition gentle. When in search of
the leaves and seeds of the aquatic plants on which it partly subsists,
it wades deep into the water, and when on the ground walks with an air of
pride, keeping its head elevated. Its flight, as might be expected from
the length and spread of its wings, is strong and sweeping. These birds
live in pairs that are united for life, and make their nest on the ground.
According to the natives they lay two white eggs.
[Illustration: THE ANIUMA, OR HORNED SCREAMER (_Palamedea cornuta_).
ONE-FIFTH NATURAL SIZE.]
THE CHAUNA, OR TSCHAJA.
The CHAUNA, or TSCHAJA (_Chauna Chavaria_), has a horn upon the brow, but
a shorter beak than the Aniuma; the bridles are bare, the nape decorated
with a crest, and the plumage soft, but not of velvety texture, on the
head and neck. The feathers of the crest and on the crown are grey, those
on the cheeks, throat, and upper neck white, those of the mantle brown,
of the nape and upper breast deep greyish blue. The edges of the wings,
the lower wing-covers, and feathers on the rump and belly are whitish. The
eyes are yellow, and the bridles and bare eye-rings flesh-red; the beak is
black, and the foot light red. This species is thirty-two inches, the wing
measures nineteen, and the tail eight inches.
The Chaunas are peculiar to the northern parts of South and Central
America, where they frequent marshes, or occasionally river-banks, either
in pairs or small parties. Their manners are shy, and when not disturbed
their gait is stately and slow. In the air their movements are easy and
swift, but they are unable to run without the assistance of their wings;
when about to rest, they resort to the branches of high trees. According
to Gray, these birds are kept by the natives with their poultry, going
with them to feed about the neighbourhood during the day, and proving very
useful in defending the fowls, by the aid of their spurs, from the attacks
of the numerous feathered tyrants with which the country is infested.
Marshy or inundated localities are the situations they principally
frequent, as their food consists entirely of the leaves of aquatic plants,
grapes, and seeds. The spacious nest is made of small branches, and is
usually placed in a bush surrounded by water, or among reeds and rushes.
The eggs are two in number, and have a rough white shell. According to
Gray, if the living bird be handled, a peculiar crackling is felt, which
is caused by the quantity of air lodged between the skin and the muscles.
* * * * *
The RAILS (_Ralli_) are characterised by their high body, which is much
compressed at its sides, their moderately long neck and small head. The
bill is variously formed, compressed at the sides, and seldom longer than
the head. In the high, long-toed foot, the hind toe is well developed,
the wing is rounded, and does not extend so far as the extremity of the
rounded tail, which is formed of twelve feathers. The plumage is compact
and thick. The members of this family inhabit almost every portion of the
globe, and exhibit many modifications of form, according to the situation
they are created to occupy. Owing to the slender shape of their bodies,
they are able to thread their way through beds of the thickest stems of
reeds, bulrushes, and other aquatic plants, among which they seek shelter;
or, like the Land Rail, penetrate the tall grass of the meadow, and that
so rapidly and noiselessly that they elude pursuit with the greatest
ease, and seldom can be forced to take wing. All the various species
are able to pass over the surface of soft ooze, or the flat leaves of
plants that float thickly on the water of their favourite haunts; many
of them can also swim with much facility. The Rails are social in their
habits, and frequently assemble in small flocks, which remain together
until the migratory season. Insects, larvæ, worms, eggs, and even young
nestlings, frequently fall a prey to them; but seeds of various kinds and
portions of plants form their principal fare. The nest, which is very
carefully constructed, is usually placed among reeds, grass, or rushes;
the light-coloured eggs are darkly spotted, and from three to twelve in
number. Both parents brood, and they rear two families during the summer.
The flesh of these birds is excellent, but it is difficult to shoot them
without the aid of a dog.
* * * * *
The SNIPE RAILS (_Rhynchæa_) are recognisable by the peculiar form
of their bill, which is longer than the head, straight at the base,
compressed at its sides, and inclines and curves downwards at the tip
of both mandibles, which are of equal length. The moderate-sized foot
is furnished with short unconnected toes, and has the hind toe placed
higher than the rest; the broad wing is slightly rounded, the third quill
being longer than the rest; and the tail is composed of twelve feathers.
The plumage is very beautifully variegated, the dress of the male being
usually of quieter tints than his mate; and for this reason superficial
observers have often been mistaken as to the sex of the latter.
THE GOLDEN RAIL, OR PAINTED CAPE SNIPE.
The GOLDEN RAIL, or PAINTED CAPE SNIPE (_Rhynchæa Capensis_), is of a
blackish grey on the upper part of the body; the eyebrows, a stripe on
the head, and another on the shoulder, are yellowish; the upper wing is
brown, marked with black; the lower throat and upper breast are deep
blackish grey and white; the rest of the under side is white; the quills
and tail-feathers are adorned with golden eyes and black spots. In the
female the upper parts of the body are dark brown, irregularly striped
with greenish black. The brown head has a green gloss, the eyebrows are
yellowish white, a line over the head is yellowish, the neck reddish
brown, and the upper breast blackish brown; the under side and a line on
the shoulder are white, the quills and tail-feathers green and black,
enlivened by golden eyes, and the feathers of the wing-covers green,
striped with black; the eye is brown, the beak dark green at the base, and
tipped with brownish red; the foot is light green. The male is nine inches
long and sixteen and a quarter broad; the wing measures five inches and
one-sixth, and the tail two inches; while the female is ten inches long
and eighteen broad.
The Painted Snipes are dispersed over a large portion of Africa. They keep
together in small parties, and lead a quiet and retired life, beneath
the sheltering leaves of aquatic plants that overspread the morasses and
river-banks, which are their favourite haunts. We are almost entirely
without particulars respecting these birds, except that they run well and
swiftly, and flutter rather than fly, when compelled to rise into the air.
Near the Cape they are known by the name of "Keuvitts," as that word is
supposed to resemble their cry, which is constantly heard during evening.
We obtained two eggs from the ovary of one of these Snipes, shot in the
month of May; in form and colour these resembled the eggs of the Gallinago.
THE WATER RAIL.
The WATER RAIL (_Rallus aquaticus_) represents a group having the bill
rather longer than the head, straight or slightly curved, and compressed
at its sides; the feet are moderately large, the wings short, blunt,
arched, and formed of soft quills, of which the third and fourth are the
longest; and a very short, narrow tail, composed of twelve weak, curved,
and pointed feathers. The thick compact plumage is of a golden yellow,
spotted with black on the back; the lower part of the body and sides of
the head are blueish grey, striped with black and white on the thighs. The
belly and rump are brownish yellow, the quills pale brownish black, edged
with greenish brown, and tail-feathers black bordered with olive-brown.
The eye is dull red, the beak brownish grey at the culmen, and bright red
at its margins and lower mandible, the foot is brownish green. The female
is smaller than her mate, but resembles him in colour. The young are
reddish grey on the under side, spotted with various shades of black. This
species is eleven inches long and fifteen broad; the wing measures four
inches and a half, and the tail two inches and one-sixth.
The Water Rail is a native of Northern and Central Europe, and Central
Asia, as far east as the river Amoor; and is also met with in Southern
Europe and Northern Africa during the course of its wanderings. In England
it is permanently resident, and is to be found if sought for at all
seasons of the year, but owing to its shy and sedentary habits, and the
peculiar situations it frequents, is not very frequently seen. Marshes,
pools, or water-courses are the favourite haunts of this bird; such as
are covered and edged with reeds, dense grass, or aquatic plants being
preferred, as in these it finds a constant shelter and refuge, the narrow
form of its head and body enabling it to pass through the closest masses
with great facility. To this fact it is indebted for its principal means
of security, as when driven into the air it flies awkwardly and slowly,
with the legs hanging down. Few dogs even succeed in forcing it into
view before it has gained its retreat, which is often a rat-hole, or a
tangled mass of tree-roots. When disturbed, it occasionally runs along
the surface of the water, supported by the floating leaves, for which
purpose its broad, spreading feet are well adapted; it can also dive with
much facility. Worms, slugs, aquatic insects, together with the leaves
and seeds of aquatic plants, are its principal food, and for these it
chiefly seeks during the twilight hours. The nest of the Water Rail is
composed of sedges and coarse grass loosely heaped together, and is made
on the ground, amongst reeds and rushes, beneath bushes, and occasionally
in short herbage. The eggs, from six to ten in number, vary somewhat in
colour, but are usually brownish white, or greenish, spotted with violet,
grey, and brown. The young look like little, round, puffy balls of down
when first hatched, and at once roll into the water, where they swim about
with as much delight and enjoyment as if they had been accustomed to
the exercise for years. When domesticated, the _Rallus aquaticus_ often
exhibits the utmost affection and docility. In an instance that came
under our notice, one of these birds not only ran freely about the house,
following and obeying its master, but slept at night in his bed, beneath
the coverlet.
[Illustration: THE GOLDEN RAIL, OR PAINTED CAPE SNIPE (_Rhynchæa
Capensis_). ONE-THIRD NATURAL SIZE.]
* * * * *
The ARAMIDES (_Aramides_) are slenderly-formed birds, with strong
bills, which are longer than the head, compressed at the sides, and
slightly arched at the culmen; the legs are long, the tarsi thin, the
moderate-sized toes quite unconnected, and the claws long, sharp, and
curved. The medium-sized wing has the third and fourth quills longer
than the rest; the tail is moderate, and the plumage of uniform hue. The
members of this group occupy the marshy grounds of Central Brazil, where
they seem to be general favourites among the country people, sometimes
evincing a remarkable susceptibility of domestication.
THE SERRAKURA.
The SERRAKURA (_Aramides gigas_) is about eighteen inches long; the wing
measures ten and the tail three inches. Upon the head, upper neck, and
legs, the plumage is slate-grey, and reddish brown on the nape; the back
and wing-covers are olive-green, and the lower belly and rump black; the
quills, lower breast, and sides of belly are bright rust-red; and the
tail-feathers of blackish hue. The eye is bright red, the bill yellowish
green tipped with grey, and the foot flesh-pink.
These birds frequent the marsh-lands or moist grounds in the interior
of Brazil, in search of the seeds and insects upon which they subsist.
Throughout the morning and evening hours, their peculiar resonant cry is
constantly heard, but owing to their shyness and the dexterity with which
they conceal themselves, they are but rarely seen. The nest is placed
amongst reeds or long grass. The eggs have a pale reddish yellow shell,
slightly spotted with brown. When taken young, these birds are readily
domesticated. Azara tells us that he saw a tame Serrakura running about a
poultry-yard in Paraguay, and not only boldly defending itself from, but
attacking the fowls, with whose most vulnerable parts it was evidently
well acquainted. This bird showed a great fondness for eggs, and no
sooner was one laid, than it was seized upon, carried off, and devoured;
nor did its audacity end here, for if the unlucky hens were longer in
laying the next than suited its impatient temper, it fell upon them and
pecked them so viciously that they were obliged to quit the nest. These
depredations were not confined to its master's premises; every yard in
the neighbourhood was regularly visited and plundered, until at last
complaints became so numerous and urgent, that this troublesome but most
interesting little thief had to be killed.
THE LAND RAIL, OR CORN CRAKE.
The LAND RAIL, or CORN CRAKE (_Crex pratensis_), is recognisable by its
high body, with much compressed sides, its moderately-long neck, and large
head; and its short, strong, compressed beak, with high culmen; the leg
is of medium length, and partially feathered; the wing is wedge-shaped,
its second quill being longer than the rest; and the short weak tail
is almost entirely concealed under the covers. The smooth but not very
thick plumage is of a blackish brown above, spotted with yellowish grey;
the throat and fore parts of the neck are ash-grey, with brownish grey
sides, spotted with brownish red; the wings are brownish red, spotted with
yellowish white. The eye is light brown, the beak brownish grey, and the
foot lead-grey. The female is not so brightly coloured. This species is
eleven inches long and eighteen broad; the wing measures five inches and
a half, and the tail two inches.
The Land Rail is found throughout a great part of Central Asia and the
whole of Northern Europe, and visits not only the southern portions of the
latter continent during the course of its peregrinations, but penetrates
as far as Central Africa. In the British Isles it is a summer resident,
and appears in the southern counties about April, generally departing
about October. Marshy meadows, fields of green corn, and beds of reeds
and rushes are its favourite resorts, and in these its peculiar creaking
note is constantly to be heard. This call, according to Yarrell, may be
exactly imitated by passing the edge of the thumb-nail, or a piece of
wood, briskly along the line of the points of the teeth of a small comb,
and so similar is the sound, that the bird may be decoyed by it within a
very short distance. The male is the caller, and he continues to utter his
discordant cry until a mate be found and incubation commenced, after which
he is less frequently heard. In its general habits this species resembles
the members of its family already described, and exhibits not only a
similar dexterity in avoiding pursuit or observation, but, when alarmed,
is cunning enough, we are told, to simulate death. Mr. Jesse relates
the following interesting anecdote in corroboration of this fact:--"A
gentleman had a Corn Crake brought to him by his dog, to all appearance
lifeless. As it lay on the ground he turned it over with his foot, and
felt convinced that it was dead. Standing by, however, in silence, he
suddenly saw it open an eye; he then took it up, its head fell, its legs
hung loose, and it again appeared quite dead. He then put it in his
pocket, but before long he felt it all alive, and struggling to escape. He
then took it out, it was as lifeless as before. Having laid it again on
the ground and retired to some distance, the bird in about five minutes
warily raised its head, looked around, and decamped at full speed." The
pairing season commences almost as soon as the Corn Crakes arrive, and
during this period the males guard their mates with jealous care from the
approach of a rival, and drive off any intruder with loud harsh cries.
The nest is built when the herbage has attained a sufficient height, and
is formed of fibres, moss, dry blades of grass, and similar materials.
The eggs, which are usually seven or nine, but occasionally as many as
twelve in number, are large and beautifully formed, with a smooth, glossy,
yellowish, or greenish white shell, strewn with spots of various shades.
The female broods for three weeks, and sits with so much devotion that
she will remain to be taken in the hand rather than desert her offspring.
The young are covered with black down, and at first seek shelter beneath
their parents' wing; if alarmed they run like mice over the ground, and
are almost instantly in a place of safety. The flesh of this species is
good for the table.
* * * * *
The JACANAS (_Parræ_) form a group of remarkable birds, occupying the
warmer parts of both hemispheres, and characterised by their slender
body, long thin beak, narrow pointed wings, short tail, composed of
slender feathers (in one species the latter are much prolonged towards
the centre), and the extraordinary length of their thin toes and claws.
The heavy, beautifully-coloured plumage is alike in both sexes, but the
young differ considerably in appearance from the parents. Most members of
this group have a bare patch or excrescence on the brow, and a thorn-like
appendage on the first wing-joint. These beautiful birds frequent marshy
ground, on the borders of rivers and ponds, and obtain the seeds and
aquatic insects--that form their principal means of subsistence--from
amongst the aquatic plants, over the surface of which their long feet
enable them to run with astonishing rapidity. The nest is made among
reeds, and contains usually either three or four eggs.
The cry of the Jacanas somewhat resembles a laugh, and is generally
uttered just after they have alighted, or when they are about to take
wing. If suddenly surprised they instantly give warning to their
companions, and immediately fly away, the whole party following, with neck
outstretched, and screaming loudly.
THE CHILIAN JACANA.
The CHILIAN JACANA (_Parra Jacana_) represents a division of the above
group, having the slender wing armed with a spur, and composed of pointed
feathers. The third quill is longer than the rest. The delicate bill
is bare at its corners, and has a skinny appendage at its base; the
feet are long and thin, and have the claws and toes of nearly equal
length. The short tail, formed of ten soft, slightly-pointed feathers,
is rounded at its extremity. In the adult of this species the head,
neck, breast, and belly are black, and the back, wings, and sides of the
belly reddish brown. The quills are yellowish green, tipped with black,
and the tail dark reddish brown; the eye is pale yellow, the beak red,
tipped with yellow; the bare patches on the brow and corners of the bill
are blood-red, the feet grey, and the wing-spurs yellow. The young are
yellowish white on the under side; the crown of the head and nape are
black, and the back olive-brown. This species is from nine to ten inches
long, the wing measures five inches and one-sixth, and the tail two
inches. "A bird so well armed as the Chilian Jacana," says Molina, "cannot
want for means of defence in case of necessity, and it of course fights
with great courage and vigour everything that attempts to molest it. It
is never seen in elevated places, and never perches upon trees, but lives
wholly in the plains, and feeds upon insects and worms. It builds its
nest in the grass, where it lays four coloured eggs, spotted with black, a
little larger than those of a Partridge. It keeps in pairs, and the male
and female are almost always together, but it is rarely seen in flocks.
When these birds perceive anyone searching for their eggs, they at first
conceal themselves in the grass, without discovering any apprehension;
but as soon as they see the person approaching the spot where the nest is
placed, they rush out with fury to defend it. It is observed that this
bird never makes the least noise during the day, and that it cries at
night only when it hears some one passing. For this reason the Araucanians
when at war are accustomed to watch the cry of this bird, which serves
them as a sentinel to inform them of the approach of an enemy. They were
formerly accustomed in Chili to hunt these birds with the Falcon, but this
mode has been long out of use." The Jacana is good game, in no respect
inferior to the Woodcock.
THE CHINESE JACANA.
The CHINESE JACANA, or WATER PHEASANT (_Hydrophasianus Sinensis_), differs
from other Jacanas, inasmuch as it is without the naked forehead and
appendages at the corner of the mouth, for which they are so remarkable;
the tail, moreover, has the four central feathers of extraordinary
length; the first and second primary quills of the wings are longer than
the rest; the beak is very slender, the foot somewhat powerful, and the
toes proportionately shorter than those of the spur-winged birds. In the
Chinese Water Pheasant the fore part of the head, face, chin, neck, and
upper breast are white; the hinder neck is yellowish white, marked with
a black stripe, that separates it from the upper neck. The upper parts
of the body are dark brown, gleaming in certain lights with purple. The
upper wing-covers are white. A patch on the head is black; the breast deep
brownish black; the lower wing-covers nut-brown; the first wing-quill
black, and the second of a very dark shade; the third quill is black on
the outer web and at the tip; its other parts are white; the secondary
quills are singularly marked; the tail is black, the eye dark brown, the
beak blue at its base and greenish towards its point. The length of the
male is eighteen inches, and the breadth twenty-four inches. The wing
measures eight and the tail ten inches. The female is larger than her
mate. One measured by Jerdon was twenty inches long and thirty broad.
During the winter the plumage of these birds is of a pale greyish brown
on the upper part of the body, and the small wing-covers are transversely
banded; the crown and nape are brown, the regions of the eyebrows white,
and forehead spotted with white.
This beautiful bird is not confined to China, but is to be found
throughout India and Ceylon wherever suitable localities invite its
presence. In disposition it is by no means shy, and indeed appears to
court admiration, for if driven from the floating lotus-leaves on which
it walks, it gives itself but little trouble to escape from observation.
At certain seasons it is said to utter sounds resembling the mewing of a
cat or the whining of a puppy. Its food consists of aquatic insects, small
mollusca, and vegetable substances. Its nest is constructed of aquatic
plants, and floats upon the surface of the water. In July or August the
female lays from four to seven beautiful eggs, of a bronze-brown or
greenish shade. In winter these birds associate in small parties, but are
not easily procurable, as if one is wounded it immediately dives, and when
it again comes to the surface allows nothing but its bill to appear above
water. The flesh of this species is excellent. Jerdon tells us that in
Purneah the natives say that before the incubation, _i.e._, the breeding,
this Jacana says "dub, dub" (go under water), and afterwards in the cold
weather "powai, powai," which in Purneah dialect means "next year."
Amongst the Cingalese, according to Latham, it is known as the Cat Teal,
from the peculiarity of its cry.
* * * * *
The WATER HENS (_Gallinulæ_) constitute a numerous and varied family,
closely related to the last-mentioned species, and largely distributed
throughout the warm and temperate parts of the earth. These birds are
characterised by their powerful, compactly-built body, moderately long
neck, large head, and short, strong, deep, thick beak, the culmen of
which is strongly arched; and in most instances are further distinguished
by a naked projection from the beak, which spreads over the forehead.
Their legs are strong and of moderate length, and their toes either very
long, or provided with broad lateral fringes or lobes. Their wings are
short, the third or fourth quill being usually the longest; the tail is
very short, and they are more or less without variety of tint. In their
anatomical structure they are very closely related to the _Rallidæ_.
[Illustration: THE JACANA (_Parra Jacana_). ONE-HALF NATURAL SIZE.]