FAMILY JACANIDAE 



377 



is scanty the wings are fluttered to assist in support in more rapid 

 movement to denser growth. They come frequently to shallow pools 

 in wet pastureland. Once, in the marsh at La Jagua, a pair ranged in 

 the same manner as anis about a bull that fed in water up to its body. 

 Adults usually are found in pairs, in which the sexes may be 

 distinguished by difference in size, the female being much larger in 

 body than the male. Where the birds are common several pairs may 

 be associated, and with them there are often many of the white 

 breasted young. All feed quietly, picking at the water surface for 

 small insects, or with a quicker dab at a minnow. At any disturbance 



Fig. 64. — Wattled jagana, gallito de agua barbudo, Jacana jacana hypomelaena. 



the wings may be raised to show the striking, light-colored pattern, 

 and the birds give cackling and grunting calls. Adults often spar 

 with the spread wings raised high, the body horizontal, and the head 

 thrust forward, but seldom seem to come to actual blows, the sharp 

 spurs with which all are armed being a sufficient deterrent. I have 

 noticed this especially where one of a pair in a small group has been 

 killed, when the survivor is constantly driven away when it ap- 

 proaches its companions. 



Jaganas fly easily and in the air present an unusual outline with 

 the neck and feet extended, the latter with a slight curve upward 



