126 MANUAL 



birds the same general appearance, when on land and in an 

 upright posture, as in the auks and puffins, with which they of- 

 ten associate. They are fish feeders, expert divers, gregari- 

 ous, and found all over the world. 

 Genus, Phalacrocorax, (10 to 11 species). 



Graculus is a generic sjmonym, and Prof. Baird gives us what appears to 

 be three sub-genera : Phalacrocorax, Graculus, and Urile. The old gen- 

 eric appellations of Pelecanus and Carbo are now seldom heard of. Carbo 

 alone is still occasionally adhered to for its simplicity. 



FAMILY LV PLOTIDAE THE DARTERS 



(jlreek j?fo/o*-, " a powerful swimmer." 

 A more extraordiny bird than the Darter, or Snake Bird as 

 it is frequently called, could hardly be imagined. It is one 

 of Nature's curiosities. It is also known as the Anhinga or 

 Wafer Turkey, is a native of tropical waters, and has but few 

 representatives in any country. The common American spe- 

 cies is a resident along the Gulf States, and a familiar object 

 in places where it abounds. At a distance, it might be mis- 

 taken for a member of the Goose family but for its long, slen- 

 der, straight yet pointed bill ; and for a large Heron or Egret, 

 but for its short legs which are situated so far back upon its 

 body. It has a slight pelican-like pouch which is naked, and 

 very small nostrils. The wings are long and pointed ; and 

 the tail, of moderate length, is broad and stiffened and com- 

 posed of twelve feathers. The Darter might resemble a long- 

 necked Cormorant, but it is of a more slight, neat, and trim 

 appearance. They are swamp-dwellers, feeding upon reptiles 

 and fishes for which they dive and swim with remarkable dex- 

 terity. The habit of swimming with only the head above the 

 water has procured for it the name of Snake Bird, as it then 

 greatly resembles that reptile. 

 Genus, Plotus, The Anhinga or Snake Bird. 



FAMILY LVI TACHYPETIDAE THE FRI- 

 GATE BIRD 



Greek iachupetet!, swift-H\-ing. 

 This is still another bird that could not, by any possibility. 



