168 TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS — STEGANOPODES. 



form, in size, and in general coloration. The chief difference between the adult males of the two 

 species consists in the possession of a white stripe on the side of the head in P. novce-hollandice, 

 commencing near the rictus and extending backward, growing gradually narrower, and terminating 

 in a point on the upper part of the neck ; the gular sac is likewise bordered with a white line. 

 In P. anhinga the head is wholly deep black, excepting, of course, the nuptial plumes, which are 

 present only during a portion of the breeding-season. In the Australian bird the front part of the 

 neck is light brownish, and the light-grayish markings of the wings narrower and less handsome. 



The " Snake Bird," or " Darter," is found occupying a somewhat restricted area 

 within the limits of the United States. It occurs in South Carolina and in all the 

 States bordering the Gulf of Mexico, from Georgia and Florida to the Bio Grande. 

 I am not aware that it has ever been seen on the Pacific coast within the limits of 

 the United States, although it is found in Mexico and in Central America, on the 

 Atlantic as well as on the Pacific coast. It also occurs in all the northern portions 

 of South America, wherever there are rivers of considerable size. 



Mr. Dresser found it common on all the large streams of Texas, having obtained 

 specimens from Fort Stockton and from the Medina Eiver. It is equally abundant 

 on all the rivers of Tamaulipas and the other Gulf regions of Eastern Mexico, as 

 well as on the western side of that country. Mr. Bischoff obtained examples of this 

 species near Mazatlan ; and Colonel Grayson found it common on the fresh-water 

 lagoons, and on the Mazatlan and Santiago rivers. It was also seen in large numbers 

 in the small river of Tepic and on Lake Chapala, near Guadalajara. In that region 

 it is a constant resident, and builds its nests in trees near, or over, fresh-water 

 lagoons or streams. It is found in nearly all the principal islands of the West 

 Indies, although Mr. Gosse does not include it among the birds of Jamaica. It is 

 abundant and a resident in Cuba, where Dr. Gundlach saw it breeding, and obtained 

 its eggs. Leotaud includes this species among the birds of Trinidad — where, however, 

 it is not very common, and where it keeps in the trees bordering the streams which 

 flow through the low swampy meadows. It lives principally upon fish, which it 

 seizes by rapidly darting upon them with its sharply pointed and slightly toothed 

 beak. In this movement its neck, which is very long, is thrust forward with the 

 force of a spring, aided by the muscles, that are large and well developed in the lower 

 and anterior portion of the neck. These muscles are said to be white, tender, and of 

 an agreeable flavor ; while those of the body are of a dark color, and have a disagree- 

 able taste. When fishing, the Anhinga stands with only its head and neck above the 

 water. When it makes a plunge it remains a long while beneath the surface; and 

 when it rises again, the long and undulating neck has somewhat the appearance of a 

 serpent. Leotaud was unable to state with certainty whether the Anhinga is or is 

 not a resident species in Trinidad, or whether it occurs there only in its migrations. 



This bird was found at Lake Peten, Honduras, by Mr. Leyland ; and Mr. G. C. 

 Taylor met with several individuals of this species on the Lake of Yojoya, in the 

 same region. Mr. E. C. Taylor mentions seeing a number of them on the Orinoco. 

 He generally found them perched on the stump of a tree overhanging the river, 

 ready at the shortest notice to plunge into the water. 



Mr. C. Barrington Brown speaks of meeting with this bird in his descent of the 

 Paruni Eiver, in British Guiana, where its local name is "Duckler." 



Mr. N. B. Moore studied the movements of this species in Florida, and ascertained 

 that it does not fish exclusively in fresh water. He repeatedly saw it diving in the 

 waters of a bay or creek between two oyster-bars, wdiere the tide ebbed and flowed 

 daily. He never knew it to fly with its wings directly extended, or with its neck 

 stretched to its full length, but always with the neck folded upon itself, as is the 



