On the shores of a sand-bank, flocks of wild gulls may be seen flying
overhead uttering their well-known cries, sandpipers coursing along the
edge of the water, here and there lonely wading birds stalking about,
and among them the curious Palamedea cornuta--the anhima of the
Brazilians, or the horned screamer of Cuvier--called also the kamichi.
Startled by the approach of the canoe, up it flies, its harsh screams
resembling the bray of a jackass--but shriller and louder, if possible--
greatly disturbing the calm solitude of the place.
It is the size of a swan, but more nearly resembles a crane. On its
head it wears a long, pointed horn, surrounded with small black and
white feathers. It has a tail about eight inches long; its wings, when
folded, reaching to more than half the length of the tail. They are
armed with sharp spines, with which it can inflict a wound on its foes,
and which assist it in repelling the attacks of snakes and guarding its
young from their rapacity. Unless when attacked, however, it seldom
uses its weapon of defence. It walks boldly along, as if conscious of
its power; and when on the wing, has a strong and easy flight.
The head and neck are of a greenish-brown colour, and covered with soft
feathers. The back is black, except the upper part, which is brown,
with yellow spots; the whole lower part, with the thighs, of a silvery
white.
It feeds on grain and aquatic plants, in search of which it wades
through the reptile-haunted morasses.