Wyman.] 100 lOctober 7, 



F. Folsom and Edward A. Samuels of Boston, were elected 

 Resident Members. 



The follgwing papers were read : — 



Ox A Thread Worm {Filaria auhimjm) infesting the Brain 

 OF THE Snake-bird, (Plolus anhiiKja Linn.). By Jeffries 

 Wyman, M.D. 



Plot us an/iinga is geuurally called " siiake-bird " in the States 

 bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, but ou the St. John's River in 

 East Florida, wliere our observations were made during the months 

 of February and March in 1861 and 1867, is more commonly known 

 as the " water-turkey." There they are seen in large numbers, 

 perched upon the dead trunks or projecting limbs of trees which over- 

 hang the river or the lakes and lagoons connected with it. On much 

 travelled routes they are shy and wary, and when danger threatens, 

 either fly quietly away or drop head-foremost into the water, and sink 

 almost noiselessly beneath the surface. When they rise again they 

 swim with the head just seen, and when no longer afraid soon show the 

 whole body. With the alligator and loon they seem to have the fac- 

 ulty of quietly raising or sinking their bodies in the water without 

 apparent effort. They seek their food beneath the sm'face, and, as 

 far as our observations go, live largely on fish, a species of bream 

 (Pomotis) being the one most commonly found in their capacious 

 oesophagus and gizzard, and often in such large quantities that one is 

 prepared to accept ]Mi'. Audubon's statement as to the voracity of 

 the AnJiinga. He also informs us that their food is quite varied, and 

 that they do not hesitate to swallow insects, eggs of frogs, tadjjoles, 

 crawfish, shrimps, young alligators, and even small water-snakes. 

 These facts are important in connection with the question as to the 

 source of the 2">arasites with which they are infested. 



Mr. Nuttall places the Anhingas near the Divers, and Mr. Audubon 

 near the Cormorants, which last they very nearly resemble in many 

 outward characters, as well as in the details of the structure of their 

 skull. They however differ from both the Divers and Cormorants in 

 their long, snake-like neck, in which respect, as well as in the form 

 of their bills, they resemljle the herons. In the dissection of them 

 we were much struck with the peculiar structure of theu* gizzard. 

 Audubon has given a good figiu-e of the exterior form of this, but has 

 overlooked two remarkable peculiarities: — 



