784 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
Quae River, and Mr. Ayres gives the following note: “The Darter 
is found sparsely on most of the rivers of Mashoona Land, but is 
more abundant in the Transvaal and Natal. Beware how you handle 
a wounded bird. One made a sudden dart at my eye, and it was 
only by the merest instinct of self-preservation that I put my hand 
up in time to receive the thrust. The upper mandible pierced with 
great force the bone of my thumb, and the bill being serrated stuck 
there amongst the muscles, giving considerable pain, and I had to 
pull hard to get it out.” Sir John Kirk states that it is found in 
the Zambesi “in all waters, from the coast to the interior, to be 
seen sunning its wings on rocks or trees; on the least danger 
betaking to the water. The plumage varies very much; sometimes 
it is of a rich glossy black, at other times of a rich brown. Its food 
consists entirely of fish, which it catches under water, coming to 
the surface before swallowing it.” Senor Anchieta has procured 
specimens at Benguela, on the Coroca River, at Mossamedes and 
at Humbe on the Cunene. 
General colour, black, shining-green on the back and shoulders, 
longitudinally striped with fulvous, that colour occupying tho centre 
of each feather; neck and head rufous-brown; black lines extend 
from the back of the eye, down the sides of the neck, becoming 
fainter as they descend, and coalescing at the base of the neck ; 
below this line, but only extending to one-third the distance, is a 
pure white line; tail and wing feathers, black: the former very 
stiff; the two centre ones corrugated. Length, 36’; wing, 13’; 
teal, 10":9""". 
The plumage in this species, as with the Cormorants, varies much 
with age. ‘ 
Fig. Daubent. Pl. Enl. 107. 
‘ 
ig 
