JACANA, Port. Aron. zhii' nanny ( Brazilian jocund). One of the small, rail-like plovers of the family Parrithe, remarkable for their carpal spurs and for the .extraordinary length of their toes and elaws, adapted to the bird's habit of seeking its food (green sprouts of rice and the like, insects, and small animals) by walking on the floating leaves of the water-plants in weedy lakes and slow rivers. They belong to the tropics of various parts of he world. The common species of South America (Jacana spinosa), abundant in Guiana and Brazil, is about 10 inches long; black, except the back and part of the wings, which are of a bright chestnut color. Another species (Jacana gymnostoma) is found in tropical America, and extends its range as far north as Texas. The prevailing color of the plumage is rich purplish chestnut. Their general habits are much like those of the gallinulees, which they resemble in bodily appearance. The strong spur with which the bend of each wing is armed is a formidable weapon in the fighting that seems incessant among them.
Of the ten or a dozen Old World species, one ortwo need special mention. The pheasant-toiled
jacana or 'water-pheasant' ( H gd rophasian us ehirurgus) is a familiar bird throughout the Oriental region, and, like another species (of Northern Australia), is often called `lotus-bird.' because of its fondness for places where that plant prevails. Its colors are pleasing, and its tail is prolonged by four very long feathers, which suggest those of a pheasant. During the rains, in their favorite haunts, each pair forms a rude flat nest of weeds and grass, interwoven beneath with the long shoots of aquatic plants, which support it buoyantly on the surface. All the family lay rich olive-brown eggs. closely marked with dark lines. This bird is a favorite subject for representation in the native art of all the countries from India to Japan. The genus Metopedins, hardly different from the American jacana, has representatives in Africa, and India ; and the genus Hydro lecto• belongs to Northern Australia and the neighboring islands. Consult authorities for South America. India. and the East, mentioned under BIRD. See Plate of IZAILs, ETC.