546 



PALMIPEDES. 



SUB-FAMILY 11. 



Plotein.e. 



The Darters. 



Gen. Chakac. — Bill lengthened, very slender and acute, with the lateral mar- 

 gins finely serrated, and the gonys long and scarcely ascending ; the nostrils 

 basal, and covered by a shield; the wings long; the tail lengthened and 

 widening towards the end ; the tarsi short, very strong ; the toes long and 

 united by a broad web ; the claws shor*. and curved. 



Fig. 211.— the black-bellied daeter. 

 {Plotus melanoguster.) 



These birds are met with in the warmer parts of 

 America^ Asia, Africa, and also in Australia ; they 

 generally frequent rivers and lakes, on which they 

 swim rather deep in the water. When at rest or 

 watching for their food, which consists of fish, 



* TrXwTtj^, plotes, a swimmer. 



