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Updated: June 27, 2025
That known as the "faithful jacana" has a body about the size of a common fowl; but its legs and neck are longer, so that when standing it is a foot and a half in height. The body is of a brownish colour; and there is a crest of twelve black feathers on the nape of the neck, three inches in length.
Another curious bird was observed, which had something of the appearance of the water-hen to which kind it is also assimilated in its habits. It was the "faithful jacana," or "chuza," as it is called in some places. There are several species of "jacana" in South America, and also some species in the tropical countries of the East.
Another curious bird was observed, which had something of the appearance of the water-hen to which kind it is also assimilated in its habits. It was the "faithful jacana" or "chuza," as it is called in some places. There are several species of "jacana" in South America, and also some species in the tropical countries of the East.
They are called by the natives oven-birds, because frequently seen on the pan-shaped leaves of the before-mentioned magnificent lily. The common jacana has a black plumage, with a greenish gloss. The legs are very long and slight, as are the toes and claws, especially that of the hind-toe, which is nearly straight.
In late September I spread my observation chair at the very edge of one of the dark tarns and watched the life on the leaves. Out at the center a fussy jacana was feeding with her two spindly-legged babies, while, still nearer, three scarlet-helmeted gallinules lumbered about, now and then tipping over a silvery and black infant which seemed puzzled as to which it should call parent.
A still more interesting bird was the jacana, as it is spelt in books, but pronounced ya-sa-NA by the Indians of Paraguay, a quaint rail-like bird supposed to be related to the plover family: black and maroon-red in colour, the wing-quills a shining greenish yellow, it has enormously long toes, spurs on its wings, and yellow wattles on its face.
In the ypecaha and jacana displays both sexes take part. A stranger performance is that of the spur-winged lapwing of the same region a species resembling the lapwing of Europe, but a third larger, brighter coloured, and armed with spurs.
Here was a clear example, not only of the abundance of life in the tropics, but of the keen competition. The jacana invariably lays four eggs, and the gallinule, at this latitude, six or eight, yet only a fraction of the young had survived even to this tender age.
When these are attacked by hawks or other birds of prey, the jacana defends them with its sharp wing-spurs, and generally succeeds in beating off the enemy. It never deserts the flock, but accompanies it in all its movements, and will defend its charge with great fury and courage.
At the bend of the wings there are horny spurs, half an inch long, with which the bird can defend itself when attacked. It is, however, a pacific bird, and only uses them in defence. The most singular character of the jacana is its long toes and claws.
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