A Manual of Philippine Birds

by Richard C. McGregor

Suborder PARRÆ.

Family PARRIDÆ.

In general aspect and habits like the rails but distinguishable at once by the enormously lengthened toes and claws; claw of hind toe exceeding the very long toe.

Genera.

• a¹. No frontal shield nor lappet; primaries attenuated at their tips; center tail-feathers not elongated. Hydralector (p. [150])
• a². With a leaf-like frontal lappet; primaries not produced; center tail-feathers greatly elongated. Hydrophasianus (p. [151])

Genus HYDROPHASIANUS Wagler, 1832.

End of first primary produced as a filamentous appendage about 30 mm. in length; second and third also produced but the slender tip often broken; tip of fourth primary less slender; a sharp horny spur at bend of wing.

126. HYDROPHASIANUS CHIRURGUS (Scopoli).

PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA.

• Tringa chirurgus Scopoli, Del. Flor. et Faun. Insubr. (1786), 2, 92.
• Hydrophasis chirurgus Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. (1896), 24, 69; Hand-List (1899), 1, 168; Oates, Cat. Birds’ Eggs (1902), 2, 71; McGregor and Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 30.