TOTIPALMATE SW[MMKRS 



DARTERS. Family ANHINGIDAE 



118. ^^.VTEU Turkey. /Inhiiiga unliinga. 



Range. — Tropical America, north to the South Atlantic States and up the 

 Mississippi Valley to Illinois. 



Anhingas or Snake Birds are curiously formed creatures with a Heron-like 

 head and neck, and the body of a Cormorant. They live in colonies in inacces- 

 sible swamps. Owing to their thin and light bodies, they are remarkable 



swimmers, and pursue and catch fish 

 under water with ease. When alarm- 

 ed they have a habit of sinking their 

 body below water, leaving only their 

 liead and neck visible, thereby having 

 the appearance of a water snake. 

 They also fly well and dive from their 

 i;erch into the water with the greatest 

 celerity. 



They nest in colonies in the swamps, 

 placing their nests of sticks, leaves 

 and moss in the bushes over the 

 water. They breed in April, laying 

 from three to five bluish eggs, covered with a chalky deposit. Size 2.25 x 1.35. 

 Data. — Gainesville, Florida, May 18, 1894. Nest in the top of a button-wood 

 tree, made of leaves and branches, overhanging the water. Collector, George 

 Graham. 



Chalky bhii.sh while 



I'KLICAX POND 

 Washington Zoological Park 



77 



