MEXICAN JACANA 

 Jacana spinosa. 8 in. 



A very peculiar species. Bill plover-like; at the base, 

 terminating in a leaf-like sheaf that covers the fore- 

 head; a hard spur on the shoulder of each wing; legs 

 and toes extremely long, the toenails being abnormally 

 so, the hind nail often being an inch and a half long. 

 Young very different from the adult. Grayish-brown 

 above, with wings greenish-yellow as in adult; below 

 whitish, darker across the breast and on the sides; a 

 light line above the eye. Jacanas are inhabitants of 

 marshy, muddy pools and ponds, where they can easily 

 run over the surface, their long toes getting a good 

 foothold on the floating aquatic plants. They are said 

 to be very pugnacious in defence of their young, and also 

 to fight among themselves during th^ mating season. 



Nest. Nests made of weeds and trash, on little float- 

 ing islands or lily pads. 3 to 5 olive colored eggs, 

 curiously scrawled with black. (1.20x.95); May. 



Range. Is found and breeds within our borders only 

 176 in Southern Texas. 



