GEN.  CHIRAC. — Bill  lengthened,  slender,  with  the  culmen  straight  at  the  l>;i-i'
and  vaulted  at  the  tip,  which  is  entire;  the  nasal  groove  long  and  narrow,
and  the  opening  of  the  nostrils  placed  in  the  middle  of  the  bill,  small,  and
oval ;  the  wings  more  or  less  long  and  pointed  ;  the  tail  generally  short  ;
the  tarsi  long  and  slender;  the  toes  very  long,  slender,  and  armed  with  long
slender  claws,  especially  the  hind  toe.
FlG.    188.— THE   JACANA.
(Parni  Jaeann.)

These  remarkably-footed  birds  are  found  in  the
warmer  parts  of  Asia,  Africa,  and  America.  They
frequent  marshes  and  the  sides  of  rivers  and  ponds,
generally  in  pairs  or  small  flocks.  Their  shy  and
timorous  habits  induce  them,  when  alarmed,  to  dive
into  the  water,  and  skulk  among  the  reeds  and  other
kinds  of  herbage  :  occasionally  they  seek  safety  l>y
a  short  flight.  The  remarkable  length  of  their  toes
Y  :j


478  GRALLATORES.
and  claws  enables  them  to  run  with  great  facility
over  plants  that  float  on  the  surface  of  the  lakes
and  marshes  in  broad  patches.  Their  food  con-
sists of  aquatic  insects  and  the  buds  and  seeds  of
vegetables.  The  female  makes  her  nest  among
reeds ;  her  eggs  are  four  in  number.
