NATURALIST IN INDIA. 175 



gardens. Their plumes go to deck the imperial head-dress. 

 Towards sunset the rough cricket-like chirpings of thousands of 

 a species of hedge-warblers were heard aU over the lake ; and 

 so loud as almost to drown every other sound. 



The beautiful pheasant-like bird seen squatting on the 

 broad leaves of the lotus (NelumMwm ^eciosum) and marsh 

 marigold (Oalfha palustris) is the Chinese jacana (Parra 

 siTiensis). Its flight is not strong, and composed of many- 

 flaps ; the call is rough, like that of the water-hen. The 

 curved tail-feathers, the brilliant yellow patch on the hind 

 part of the neck, shining brown of the back, white wings, 

 more or less tinged with black, wiU at once serve to dis- 

 tinguish it. 



