Indian Birds 



The J asanas ^ i8i and 182 



These remarkable birds have very long toes, 

 which enable them to run about on the large 

 floating leaves of water plants. 



181. Metopidius indicus: The Bronze-winged 

 Jagana. (F. 1428), (J. 900), (- IV.) 



Head, neck, and breast a beautiful glossy 

 black. A conspicuous white eyebrow. There 

 is some black in the wings, but the general 

 hue of these is a metallic greenish bronze. 

 The lower back and tail are chestnut red. 



Rare in Western India ; common in the east. 



" They present," writes Cunningham, " an 

 odd appearance on the wing, owing to the dis- 

 proportionate size of their feet, which becomes 

 particularly conspicuous when the legs are 

 dropped just before the bird pitches on the 

 surface of the weeds and expands its toes, 

 which have been gathered up into a bundle 

 during flight." 



182. Hy drop hast anus chirurgus : The Pheas- 

 ant-tailed Jagana. (F. 1429), (J. 901), (IV, but 

 with a tail a foot in length in the breeding 

 season.) 



Winter plumage : Upper parts brown, with 

 a conspicuous white eyebrow and a yellow 

 200 



