prop. jaçana. Also jassana. [Tupi-Guarani jasaná, in Pg. spelling jaçaná. (See Newton, Dict. Birds.)] Any bird of the genus Parra (Jacana) or family Parridæ (Jacanidæ), consisting of grallatorial aquatic birds inhabiting the warmer regions of the world, having enormous straight claws, which enable them to walk on the floating leaves of aquatic plants.
[1648. Marcgrave, Hist. Nat. Brasil., 190. Iacana Brasiliensibus, gallina aquatica.]
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Jacana, the name of a Brasilian bird, a species of moor-hen.
1797. trans. Buffon’s Nat. Hist., XIII. 243 (L.). The jacana … is most common in South America.
1820. Neuwied, Trav. Brazil, iii. 25. Large flocks appeared of Jassanas.
1888. R. Buchanan, City of Dream, IX. 195. And walking upon floating lotus leaves The red jacana screamed.
1895. C. Dixon, in Fortn. Rev., April, 652. The Parridæ or jacanas, those curious long-toed birds that run over the floating vegetation of the marshes and swamps of the tropics.
