JACANA 177 



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 theii* 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 



ii 



