DARTERS. 93

occasionally somewhat more. The height at which the Gannet flies above the water is proportioned to the depth at which the fish are swimming beneath, and Captain Collins tells me that when fish are swimming near the surface the Gannet flies very low and darts 0b- liquely instead of vertically upon his prey. Should any finny game be seen within range, down goes the Ganuet headlong, the nearly closed wings being used to guide the living arrow in its downward flight. Just above the surface the wings are firmly closed, and a small splash of spray shows where the winged fisher cleaves the water to transfix his prey. Disappearing for a few seconds, the bird reappears, rests for a moment on the water, long enough to swallow his catch, and then rises in pursuit of other game” (Lucas, Rep. U. S. Nat. Mus, 1891, p. 712).

FAMILY ANHINGIDIE. DARTERS.

There are four species of Darters or Snakebirds, one each in Africa, southern Asia, Australia, and tropical and subtropical America. They are silent birds, generally living in pairs on bodies of fresh water with Wooded shores. They select a perch over the water, and when alarmed sometimes drop into the element below and disappear beneath'its sur- face, or fly upward to a considerable height and circle about like sail- ing Hawks. They swim well, and when approached too closely quietly sink backward, frequently leaving the long, thin neck and narrow, pointed head above the surface, when one at once observes the origin of the name “ Snakebird.” They obtain their food by pursuing it under water, and their finely serrated bill assists them in retaining their hold upon it.

118. Anhinga. anhinga. (Liam). ANHINGA; SNAKEBIRD; WATER

TURKEY. (See Fig. 13.) Ad. 6 in wmmer.—General plumage glossy black with greenish reflections; back of the head and neck with scattered grayish plumes; upper back with numerous elongated silvery white spots, which on the scapulars become streaks; lesser wing-coverts spotted like the back: ex- posed portion of median and greater coverts silvery gray; tail tipped with Whitish,the outer webs of the middle pair of feathers with transverse flutings. Ad. 6 in minim—Similar, but without the grayish plumes on the head and neck. Ad. 9 .—~Similar to 6, but with the whole head, neck, and breast brownish, darker above. Im.-—Similar to 9 , but with the black parts of the plumage brownish. L, 3400; W., 13'50; T., 1050; 13., 3‘25.

Range—Tropical and subtropical America; breeds as far north as south- ern Illinois and South Carolina; winters from the Gulf States southward.

A’est, of sticks lined with moss, rootlets, etc., over the water in a bush or tree. Eggs, two to four, bluish white with a chalky deposit, 2-15 x 1'35.

This singular bird is common in the Gulf States. It has the habits of other members of this small family.