DARTERS. 431 



it the "Star-tail," on account of its long and conspicuous tail-feathers. These 

 feathers are much valued in many countries, the natives wearing them as 

 ornaments. The red caps mentioned by Captain Cook as worn by the natives 

 of the Friendly Isles are formed principally from these feathers. 



S7ib-Family II. 

 THE DARTERS. PLOTEIN^.* 



General Characteristics. — Bill lengthened, very slender and acute, with the 

 lateral margins 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 short and curved. 



These birds are met with in the warmer parts of America, Asia, 

 Africa, and also in AustraHa ; 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, they mostly se- 

 lect a dead branch overhanging the stream, from which they dart 

 on their prey. They are extremely shy and cautious. If alarmed 

 while sitting by the river-side, they silently glide into the- water 

 with so little effort that they scarcely produce more agitation than 

 would be caused by an eel, and reappear at a distance, where, 

 from the serpent-like appearance of their head and neck, they 

 are easily mistaken for snakes, as these parts only usually appear 

 above the surface. During the heat of the day they may be 

 occasionally seen sailing very high in the air. Their nests are 

 constructed of sticks, and placed on trees. The eggs are from 

 four to eight in number. 



The species which has been best described is — 



The Black-bellied Darter {Ploius melanogaster). The habitat of this 

 singular bird, so far as we yet know, is confined to the colonies of Southern 

 Africa and New South Wales, where it is thinly but generally dispersed in all 

 situations favourable to its habits— such as the upper parts of armlets of the 

 sea, the rivers of the interior, extensive water-holes, and deep lagoons. It 

 usually takes up its abode in localities little frequented by man, seeks its prey 

 in the water, dives with the greatest ease to the bottom of the deepest pools, 

 and is as active in this element as can well be imagined. It ordinarily swims 

 with a considerable portion of the body above the surface ; but upon being 

 disturbed, immediately sinks it below the water, leaving the head and neck 



* ttXwttjs, plotcs, a szinmmcr. 



