Marvels of the Universe 



577 



THE AFRICAN JACANA OR LEAF-WALKER 



BY SIR HARRY JOHNSTON, G.C.M.G. 



The Jacanas — the name is derived from Brazil — are a group of plover-like birds, which ranges 

 throughout the tropical regions of the world, having representatives in Africa, South America, India, 

 Malaysia and China. It will be observed from the accompanying illustration, which is that of the 

 largest and commonest African species, that this bird develops enormous feet, though the excessive 

 apparent size of the feet is partly caused by the great length in the claws. Indeed, as a fact, these 

 birds ha\'e proportionately rather a small hind toe, and have probably been developed from some 

 plover-like type, in which the hind toe was in course of atrophy. This short length has been made 

 up by the development of claw, which is about twice the size of the actual toe to which it is an 

 appendage. 



The object of these greatly lengthened toes and claws is to enable the birds to stand on floating 

 river vegetation, which they haunt for the insects which swarm about such plants. They are 

 frequently called " Lily-trotters," on account of their association with water-lily leaves. Many of 

 these birds are very beautifully coloured. The species here illustrated, which has, perhaps, the 

 most remarkable development of feet, is not quite so showy as the Brazilian and Chinese forms 



Pholohii] VI. y. Kuiti. 



THE GIANT WAIER-LIL^. 



The enormous leaves of this Water-lily may measure as much as twelve feet across. They are a rich deep green on the 

 upper side with a crimson under surface, and are turned up all round to a height of three or four inches. The flower is white 

 shading to rose, and is beautifully scented. 



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