ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN ORNITHOLOGY 
the line down each side of the neck. The eggs also of these two 
birds are very dissimilar, as represented in the accompanying plate. 
A good notice of the habits of the Hydrophasianus occurs in the 
“ Calcutta Sporting Review,” vol. v. p. 7. “ These birds,” remarks 
the writer, “ breed during the rains, in flooded spots, where the 
lotus is plentiful, the pair forming a rude flat nest of grass and 
weeds, interwoven beneath with the long shoots of some growing 
aquatic plant, which retain it buoyant on the surface. Herein are 
laid six or seven olive-brown pear-shaped eggs, of an inch and a 
quarter in length. Their slender * bodies and widely extending 
toes, enable the Jacanas to run with facility, apparently on the 
water, but in reality, wherever any floating leaves or green herbage 
meets their light tread. The food consists of the green tender 
paddy, or other vegetable growth, dependant on inundation for its 
production, and the numerous species of insects that abound in such 
spots. The cry is like that of a kitten in distress, whence their 
native name of Meeivah. In flight, the legs are trailed behind like 
those of the Herons. The flesh is excellent. It is remarkable, with 
respect to these birds, that a winged or only wounded one is never 
brought to bag. Though not web-footed, they dive instantly on the 
attempt to capture them, and you see them no more. Now, whether 
they have the power of remaining an extravagant time submerged, 
or can proceed to a distance, and at a rate not even attainable by 
the Palmipedes ; or whether, unable to rise again after the impetus 
with which they go under water, they get entangled in weeds and 
die there, are questions for solution.” Of course, like so many other 
w aders and water fowl ( Oallinules and Grebes for instance), they 
remain concealed amid the aquatic herbage, with the nostrils only 
above water, and so wait until they consider all danger over. 
As remarked by Mr. Jerdon, “ this handsome species is (in the 
peninsula of India) perhaps more generally spread than the other, 
M. indicus , but is not so numerous, except in some few localities. 
It frequents, like the other, weeded and lily covered tanks, but is 
also often to be seen feeding at the edges of rivers, and tanks 
totally devoid of weeds.” This accords with our own observation 
in Bengal, where we have sometimes seen it, to all appearance, 
walking on the water, and slight and little visible were the supports 
* The body is full shaped and broadisli to the front, not narrowed, as in the 
Rallidas. — Z. 
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