JACANA E77 
it presents a most novel appearance, as the lovely 
golden-green of the wings is quite concealed when 
the bird is at rest; the beauty of its flight is thus 
greatly enhanced by the sudden display of a hue so 
rare and delicate. At a distance from the beholder, 
and in a strong sunshine, the wings appear of a 
shining golden yellow. Not only when flying does the 
Jacana make a display of its beautiful wings ; without 
rising it has a way of exhibiting them, appearing to 
delight as much in them as the Cockatoo does in its 
crest or the Peacock in its train. When several of 
these birds live in company, occasionally they all in 
one moment leave their feeding, and with quick 
excited notes, and clustering together in a close 
group, go through a singular and pretty performance, 
all together holding their wings outstretched and 
agitated, some with a rapid fluttering, others with a 
slow-moving leisurely motion like that of a butterfly 
sunning itself. The performance over, the birds 
peaceably scatter again. I have never observed 
Jacanas fighting. 
Shortly after arriving they pair, and build a simple 
nest with few materials, usually on the floating weeds. 
The eggs are four, in shape like a Snipe’s eggs, spotted 
with chestnut on a pale yellowish-brown ground. 
During incubation the male keeps guard at some 
distance from the nest, and utters a warning cry 
at the approach of an intruder; the female instantly 
flies from the nest, but in rising renders herself 
very conspicuous. When the nest is approached 
the parent birds hover about, occasionally fluttering 
M II 
