SNAKE-BIRD 



88i 



this respect, as well as in the attenuated neck, likening the Snake- 

 birds to the Herons ; but the latter do not generally transfix 

 their prey as do the former. 



The male of the American species, which ranges from Illinois 

 to the south of Brazil, is in full breeding-plumage a very beautiful 

 bird, with crimson irides, the bare skin round the eyes apple-green 

 and that of the chin orange, the head, neck and most part of the 

 body clothed in black glossed with green ; but down each side of 

 the neck runs a row of long hair-like white feathers, tinged with 



Indian Snake-bird. After Tiekell's drawing in the Zoological Society's library. 



pale lilac. The much elongated scapi;lars and the small upper 

 wing-coverts bear each a median white mark, which on the former 

 is a stripe pointed at either end, and on the latter a broad ovate 

 patch. ^ The larger wing-coverts are dull white, but the quill- 

 feathers of the wings and tail are black, the last broadly tipped 

 with brownish-red, passing into greyish-white, and forming a con- 

 spicuous band when the tail is spread in form of a fan, as it often 

 is under water.- The hen differs much in appearance from the 



^ These feathers are very characteristic of each species of the genus, and in 

 India, says Jerdon, are among the Khasias a badge of royaltj'. 



2 This peculiarity, first pointed out to me by Mr. Bartlett, who observed 

 it in birds in tlie Zoological Society's possession, doubtless suggested the name 

 of "Water-Turkey" by which in some places Plotus anhinga is said to be 

 known. 



56 



