THE CHINESE J AG ANA. 



579 



The general color of the Common Jacana is black, with a slight gi-eenish gloss, taking 

 a rusty red tinting on the back and vving-covei'ts. The primary qiiill-feathers of the wing are 

 green, and the wings are furnished at the bend with long and sharp claws. In the African 

 species these spurs are hardly perceptible. At the base of the beak is a curious feathery 

 appendage, rising upon the forehead above and depending towards the chin below. The 

 claws are all very long, 

 especially that of the 

 hind toe, which is nearly 

 straight, and longer than 

 the toe from which it 

 proceeds. 



The pretty Chinese 

 Jacana well deserves the 

 title of Hydrophasianus, 

 or Water Pheasant, a 

 name which has been 

 given to it on account of 

 the two long tail-feathers 

 which droop gracefully in 

 a gentle curve. The quill- 

 feathers of the wings are 

 also remarkable for cer- 

 tain little appendages, like 

 hairy plumes, which pro- 

 ceed from the tip of each 

 shaft. 



The Chinese Jacana, 

 or Meewa, is not confined 

 to the country from which 

 it derives its popular name, 

 but is found in various 

 parts of Asia, and has been 

 obtained from the Hima- 

 layas and the Philippines. 



It is a very active bird on foot, or in the water, swimming with easy grace, and traversing 

 the floating herbage in search of its food, which resembles that of most aquatic birds. A 

 tamed specimen fed readily on shrimps. It is not very fond of using its wings, but when flying, 

 extends the legs backwards after the same fashion as the heron. The flesh of the Chinese 

 Jacana is very excellent, and has been likened to that of the snipe, so that the bird is in some 

 request among sjjortsmen. Shooting it is, however, no very easy task, as a wounded bird is 

 seldom if ever recovered, diving at once and remaining submerged until the foe has left the 

 spot, or death has released it from its sufl'erings. 



Tlie nest of the Chinese Jacana is made of reeds and grasses, is flat in form, and is 

 supported upon the woven stems of aquatic plants. The eggs are about six or seven in 

 number, and their color is olive-brown. These birds breed during the rains, and choose those 

 spots where the lotus is plentiful. The voice resembles the mewing of a distressed kitten, to 

 which fact is owing its native name of Meewa. 



The colors of the male bird are bold and striking. The back and under parts are deep 

 chocolate-brown, the elongated taU is a still darker brown ; and the wings, top of the head, 

 throat, and part of the neck are white. The back of the neck is orange, and a narrow black 

 line separates it from the white of the throat. The legs, toes, and beak ai-e grass-green. At 

 the end of the primary feathers are certain filamentous and somewhat lancet-shaped append- 

 ages, which, according to some waiters, hinder the bird in its flight. The female is quite 

 sober in her plumage- The upper part of the body and head is pale brown, warming to red on 



JACANA.— /*arAu jacana. 



