AMONG THE PALMS 199 



When I visited Enoggera the lake was aglow with 

 water lily blooms, both blue and white. In some 

 places lilies grew so thickly that it was difficult to 

 force a passage for the boat, and at every stroke the 

 oars received a burden of leaves and stems. But speed 

 was not required; one wished to linger where thou- 

 sands of blossoms nodded above still water like chalices 

 abrim with sunshine. Several Jacanas were observed, 

 walking over the broad, flat lily leaves. The feet of 

 the Lotus-Bird (a prettier name than Jacana) are 

 adapted for walking over floating leaves ; the toes and 

 claws are of great length, and the latter are turned 

 upward. An hour's search among the lilies was re- 

 warded by the discovery of two nests, composed of 

 aquatic plants, each containing four eggs the average 

 clutch. The eggs of the Jacana are beautiful, and col- 

 lectors prize them. Pyriform in shape, the shell is 

 of fine texture, and highly glossed; the ground colour 

 is rich, yellowish olive, freely marked with lines of 

 dark brown and black, which interlaces, forming 

 blotches. 



