THE CHINESE JACANA. 
579 
The general color of the Common Jacana is black, with a slight greenish gloss, taking 
a rusty red tinting on the back and wing-coverts. The primary quill-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 sportsmen. 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 sufferings. 
The 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 tail 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 are grass-green. At 
the end of the primary feathers are certain filamentous and somewhat lancet-shaped append- 
ages, which, according to some writers, 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 .— Parra jacana. 
