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Show 1876.] MR. W. H. HUDSON ON THE HABITS OF RAILS. 103 the streams and visit their favourite fishing-sites. They are very active at night, retiring again at the approach of morning, and sometimes spend the day perched on trees. As the breeding-season draws near they become exceedingly clamorous, making the marshes resound day and night with their long wailing cries. The nest is built amongst the rushes, and contains ten or twelve eggs, large for the bird, slightly elliptical, sparsely marked with large blotches of pale brown and purple, the whole egg having a cloudy appearance. When the nest is approached, the parent birds utter sharp angry notes as they walk about at a distance from the intruder. Young and old birds live in company till the following spring. The Carau is more nocturnal than the Rails, and, having a far more powerful flight, takes to wing more readily: in general appearance, and in its gestures and motions when on the ground and when rising, it closely resembles them. The Jacana (Parra jacana), arrives from the north in Buenos Ayres early in October, coming singly or in small parties. In their migration they appear to follow the course of the Plata ; and, though some individuals are found breeding inland, they are for the most part confined to the littoral marshes. The Jacanas journey by very easy stages, frequently alighting to rest by the way; for they are so incapable of sustained flight that boys on the pampas occasionally take them, pursuing them on horseback till the birds drop down exhausted. I believe the migratory Rails travel in the same way-a matter not easily determined, as they migrate by night; but they are feeble-winged creatures, and when driven to rise flutter away as if wounded. I have observed the Jacanas migrating by day, but would not for this reason affirm that they do not journey by night, since the Bartram's Sandpiper and other species journey both day and night. The Jacana flies swiftly, in a straight line and close to the surface : the wings flutter rapidly ; and there are frequent intervals of gliding. When rising it presents a most novel appearance, as the lovely pale green of the wings is quite concealed when the bird is at rest; the beauty of its flight is thus greatly enhanced by the sudden display of a hue so rare and delicate. At a distance from the beholder, and in a strong sunshine, the wings appear of a shining golden yellow. Not only when flying does the Jacana make a display of its beautiful wings ; without rising it has a way of exhibiting them, appearing to delight as much in them as the Cockatoo does in its crest or the Peacock in its train. When several of these birds live in company, occasionally they all in one moment leave their feeding, and with quick excited notes, and clustering together in a close group, go through a singular and pretty performance, all together holding their wings outstretched and agitated, some with a rapid fluttering, others a slow-moving leisurely motion like that of a butterfly sunning itself. The performance over, the birds peaceably scatter again. I have never observed Jacanas fighting. Soon after coming they pair, and build a simple nest with few |
