THK CHIXKSK JACAN \. 



5-23 



eoutiuulug to sit on Lev eggs, which were uninjuvod. The youug are covei'cd with harsh 

 black down on their exclusion from the egg, and take to the water immediately, under 

 the guidance and protection of their parents. The eggs arc of a dirty greenish-white, 

 covered with specks and dashes of brown." 



■niK CHINESE JACAKA.* 



The Jacanas are peculiar to the hotter climates of Asia, Africa, and America, and in 

 tlieir general habits closely resemble the moor-hen. They trip over the weeds which 

 mantle the waters with singular ease and grace, searching for the various aquatic insects 

 which constitute their food. 



The most beautiful of tliem all is the Chinese Jacana, which is found throughout the 



. I 



( I 



I'OOT 01- Tilt; JACAXA. 



whole of India. It appears among tlie Himalayan nunmtains, wherever it can tiud an 

 asylimi in lakes and morasses ; and, with two allied species, it is observed on the Ganges, 

 between Calcutta and Benares. Its length is about twenty-two inches. The head, fore 

 part of the neck, and chest, are white ; the back of tlie neck is of a bright orange-colour, 

 divided from the white by a narrow black line ; the shoulders are white ; the rest of tlie 

 jjliiniage is of a deep chocolate-brown. Tlie beak and legs are of a dull olive-green. 



"The number of these jacanas," says 3lr. iSwainson, "on the lakes of Brazil, ilie 

 elegance of their movements, and their fearlessness of man, excite an interest in the 

 traveller who journeys through regions ornamcnfed alone by nature. Tliey are \ery 

 light birds, and their long toes, spreading over a wide surface, enable them to walk on 

 the floating leaves of aquatic plants with as nnich facility as if they were on land. In 

 such situations their appearance is really delusive ; for their pressure being sufficient to 

 sink llie surrounding leaf just below the surface, the birds actually appear to walk upon 

 the water.'' 



' Pavra Sinesis. 



