170 TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS — STEGANOPODES. 



The nests of the Anhinga are variously placed — sometimes in a low bush ; on the 

 common smilax, at an elevation of only a few feet : or on the upper branches of a high 

 tree ; but always over the water. They are sometimes alone, at other times sur- 

 rounded by hundreds of nests of various species of Herons. The nest of the Anhinga 

 is about two feet in diameter, and of a flattened shape. The foundation is made of 

 dry sticks laid crossways, so as to enclose a circular space. The inner part of the 

 nest — which is solid and compact — is made up with branches and leaves of the com- 

 mon myrtle, Spanish moss, and slender roots. The number of eggs is usually four, 

 and never more than this number. The same nest is frequently used several seasons 

 in succession. 



Audubon describes the eggs as measuring 2.63 inches in length by 1.25 in breadth, 

 as being of an elongated oval form, of a dull uniform whitish color externally, and 

 as covered with a chalky substance, beneath which the shell is of a light blue, 

 resembling the eggs of the different species of Cormorants. The young are covered 

 with buff-colored down, resembling young Cormorants, though of a different color. 

 They are fed by regurgitation of prepared food, and the act of feeding is said to be 

 done at great inconvenience and in an awkward manner. Both parents sit on the 

 eggs, and take part in feeding the young. 



The manuscript notes of Dr. Berlandier, of Matamoras, mention this species as 

 being found in the swamps and marshes of Texas and Tamaulipas, where it feeds 

 on fish, and is called the garza — a name somewhat indiscriminately given by the 

 Mexicans to a great variety of Herons and other birds. 



Eggs of this species, collected in Florida by Dr. Bryant (No. 3838), present the 

 same chalky appearance as do the eggs of the Cormorants, and are of a uniform bluish 

 chalky-white color, of an oblong oval shape, ranging from 2.00 to 2.30 inches in 

 length, and from 1.30 to 1.40 in breadth. 



Family SULID^E. — The Gannets. 



Char. Bill somewhat conical, very thick through the base, but rapidly taper- 

 ing to the tip, the maxillary unguis being only faintly indicated, and but slightly 

 curved ; basal portion of the maxillary tomium covered by a supernumerary wedge- 

 shaped piece, distinctly separated from the anterior portion ; nostrils obsolete ; lores, 

 malar region, chin, and more or less of the throat naked ; outer toe about equal to 

 the middle, or very slightly longer ; inner edge of middle claw distinctly pectinated. 

 Tail about half as long as the wing, cuneate, the feathers tapering toward the tips. 



The Gannets are perhaps properly separable into two genera — Sula and Di/spo- 

 rus ; the latter including only the S. bassana. But in considering the small number 

 of American species, no great violence will be done in referring them to a single 

 genus. 



Genus SULA, Beisson. 



Sula, Briss. Orn. VI. 1760, 495 (type, by elimination, Pel, run us /run, '/aster, Bodd. ). 

 Dysporus, Illio. Prodr. 1811, 279 (type, by elimination, Pclecanus bassanus, Linn.). 

 Pi.icnlri.i-, Reich. Av. Syst. 1852, p. vi (type, Pelecanus piscuicr, Linn.). 

 Plancus, Reich. 1. c. (type, Pelecanus parvus, Gm. '). 



Char. Same as those of the family. 



The four North American species of this genus may be distinguished as follows : — 



