PLOTID.E — THE ANHINGAS — PLOTUS. 169 



case with the Herons ; but in the Anhinga the folds are shorter, so that a greater 

 length of the neck is extended in front of them. There is a moment during the 

 expansion of the wings when the neck may be seen fully extended ; this is when the 

 bird quits its perch. So suddenly is the neck folded in this movement, and so unlike is 

 this action to that of Herons when getting on wing, that a wrong inference has been 

 drawn in regard to the position of the Anhinga's neck when that bird is on the wing. 



In a subsequ.ent letter Mr. Moore again repeats his observations as to the fishing 

 of this species in salt water in localities where there is a constant ebb and flow of 

 the tide. The bird seemed to him to delight to forage in water of an obstructed 

 nature, no matter whether fresh or salt, as it very rarely resorted to the open water 

 of the bay or to the mouths of creeks, to obtain its prey by a clear chase, instead of 

 taking it by surprise. 



Audubon states that he has known a few birds of this species extend their migra- 

 tions in spring as far to the north as North Carolina, where they breed near the coasts. 

 They go up the Mississippi to Natchez ; and are there known to the Creoles by the 

 name of Bee a Lancette. At the mouth of that river they are called by the fishermen 

 the " Water Crow," and in Florida the " Grecian Lady." To some persons this bird 

 is known as a Cormorant. In Carolina it is the " Snake-bird," and the male is termed 

 the ''• Black-bellied Darter." 



It was found by Mr. Kennicott to be common in the vicinity of Cairo, 111., in 1855, 

 and was also seen in the same locality by Mr. Nelson in 1875. 



These birds, in their migrations, move nortliAvard in April, and return to the bor- 

 ders of the Gulf in November, where many are resident throughout the year. Audu- 

 bon never haj)pened to meet with this bird when it was feeding in salt water, but has 

 generally found it in still water, and in such secluded places as were abundantly 

 supplied with fish. 



Au.dubon never saw the Anhinga plunge or dive for its prey from an eminence. 

 It is more or less gregarious by habit, the number seen together varying with the 

 attractions of the locality, and ranging from eight or ten to thirty, or even several 

 hundred. In the breeding-season it moves in pairs. It is a diurnal bird, and if 

 unmolested, returns each night to the same roosting-place. When asleep it is said 

 to stand with its body almost erect. In rainy weather it often spends the greater 

 part of the day standing erect, with its neck and head stretched upward, remaining 

 perfectly motionless, so that the water may glide off its plumage. The roosting-place 

 of the Anhinga is generally over water, often in the midst of some stagnant pool. 



This is said to be the very first among fresh-water divers, disappearing beneath 

 the surface with the quickness of thought, leaving scarcely a ripple on the sjDot, and 

 reappearing, perhaps with its head only above the water for a moment, at a place 

 several hundred yards distant. If hit, and only wounded, this bird readily baffles 

 all the endeavors of the sportsman to secure it. When swimming, and unmolested, 

 it is buoyant, and moves with its whole body above the water ; but when in danger 

 it sinks its body, leaving only the head and neck out of the water, presenting the 

 appearance of a portion of a large snake. 



Rev. Dr. Bachman, of Charleston, S. C, kept one in confinement until it became 

 quite tame. This bird had the curious habit of diving under any substance floating 

 on the surface of the water, such as rice-chaff. When swimming beneath the surface 

 of the water, the Anhinga spreads its wings partially, keeps its tail expanded, and 

 u.ses the feet as paddles either simultaneously or alternately. When taken young it 

 is content in its state of domestication ; and even though left at full liberty to fish 

 for itself, returns to its home at night to roost. 

 VOL. II. — 22 



