File:The genera of birds (19331975281).jpg

Order VII. GRALL^E.
Family IV. Palamedeid^e.
The second Subfamily,
PALAMEDEINiE, or Screamers,
have the Bill short, with the culmen sloping, and curved to the tip, and the sides compressed ; the
Nostrils large, placed in a membranous groove, lateral, and exposed ; the Wings rather lengthened, with
the shoulder armed with two strong spurs ; the Tail moderate ; the Tarsi lengthened, robust, and
covered with numerous small scales ; the Toes lengthened, the anterior ones united by a short mem-
brane ; and the Claws long and curved.
Palamedea Li?in.*
Bill short, with the culmen elevated and curved to the tip, which projects beyond the lower mandible ;
the sides compressed, and the gonys short and straight ; the nostrils placed in a large membranous nasal
groove, with the opening large, lateral, and oval. Wings long and ample, with the first two quills
shorter than the third and fourth, which are the longest. Tail moderate and rounded. Tarsi rather
shorter than the middle toe, and covered with small reticulated scales. Toes very long, the lateral
ones unequal, united to the middle one by a short membrane, and covered above with quadrate scales.
The head ornamented by a slender cylindrical horn ; and the lores feathered.
The type of this genus inhabits the marshy and inundated grounds of the northern parts of South America,
especially those that are situated near the sea. It is generally found in pairs, and is very shy and timorous, but soon
betrays itself by its loud calls. When at rest it generally perches on the branch of a lofty tree. Seeds and leaves' of
aquatic plants constitute its principal food.
P. cornuta Linn. PI. enl. 451.
Chauna Hlig.\
Bill short, with the culmen elevated and sloping, and arched to the tip, which is vaulted and hooked,
and the gonys moderate and straight ; the nostrils lateral, large, placed in a membranous nasal groove,
with the opening large. Wings long, with the third, fourth, and fifth quills the longest. Tail moderate
and nearly even. Tarsi long, shorter than the middle toe, and covered with reticulated scales. Toes
long, the lateral ones unequal, the outer being the longest, and the anterior ones united at their base by
a membrane, and covered above with small rather quadrate scales. The lores denuded of feathers.

• Established by Linnaeus (Systema A T atur(p) in 1766. Brisson, in 1760, had used Anhima for the same division.