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Show 264 ON T H E PAINTED SNIPE A N D PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA. [Apr. 15, boundaries strictly and attacking strangers. In fighting, they seize with the beak and strike with both wings at once. The spur with which the carpal joint is armed is only represented by a small, movable, pointed tubercle in winter, and is evidently a seasonal growth like the horns of the deer. They swim gracefully, but slowly. Of many birds turned on the pond, only two were seen to dive in trying to get away when first let out. They swam only with their wings, which are remarkably powerful, very unlike those of the Rails. The feet are very weak in grasping-power, the hallux especially only flexing at the basal joint; in the Rails the last joint flexes strongly. There is a good deal of variation in this species. I have seen one or two specimens with particularly stout strong bills, fine old females; some, irrespectively of age or sex, are glossed with purple on the brown upper surface at all times-all show the gloss when wetted. The eyes are usually brown in adults and yellow in the young; but I have seen two quite young birds with the dark iris, and many old ones, in adult winter plumage, retaining the yellow eye. Birds showdng the iris in a state of change are curiously rare. In watching the market for years, I never saw an adult retaining its summer plumage in winter; but one of m y males on the pond, which has "stuck in the moult," to use a bird-fancier's expression, has never thoroughly changed into winter dress. From observation of another of these males, I believe the quills are cast at once. This bird does not appear to fear Kites, nor do these offer to attack it, even when sickly ; perhaps they fear its strong and armed wings. It is a bold species, caring little for other birds, and not timid with man after a few days' immunity on a pond; in a cage it is not so easily reconciled, and is apt to hurt its wings at the carpal point, much as Doves will frequently do when first caged. Almost the only food I have seen taken by the birds at liberty is small water-snails about the size of peas; in captivity they will take to paddy at once, and also eat canary-seed and maggots. The grain should always be soaked for them, and their legs frequently wetted when they are confined in a cage. They never seem to feel the heat in the open, remaining in the hot sun all day long without panting. The males are certainly better protected than the females, the greater height of which exposes their white breasts when on the low kalmi weed; but no doubt in more lush vegetation the hens also would share in the protection which the coloration affords to this most interesting bird. |