266 Kev. J. Sibree_, Jr._, un the 



they insist that it acts as a sentinel for these reptiles. They 

 say that when one of the birds is seen perched on a tree by 

 the river, one is certain to see, not far off, a number of croco- 

 diles. Other and similar names for this bird are Sakai- 

 zumboay, " Crocodiles^-friend " ; and Arondovy, " Guardian- 

 of-the- enemy/' i. e. the crocodile, the enemy par excellence, 

 and the most feared of all the living creatures in the island. 

 It is also termed Vorompisdky , which probably means the 

 " Eird-that-takes (prey )-£rom-the-water " ; and Famefakungaty , 

 "Shell-breaker''*. 



As to the Darter, it is a curious fact that the Madagascar 

 species is the same as that found in India, and is different 

 from that of Africa {Plot us levaillanti) , an example of Ori- 

 ental affinities of which the Malagasy avifauna furnishes 

 so many illustrations. In habits, food, and habitat the 

 Darter resembles the Cormorant already described, except 

 that it is more shy, is swifter in flight, and dives more 

 adroitly. It also shares the name of Renivoay with its cousin. 

 As described in their English name, the Darters have re- 

 markably long and flexible necks, with which they dart upon 

 their finny prey. They usually sit solitarily, with the neck 

 bent into the shape of an S, but there are always some others 

 not far off. On getting a fish the Darters throw it up into 

 the air and catch it by the head, which is devoured first. 



In the previous chapter, when treating of the Ibises, it was 

 noticed that the word Manarana appears to be a generic 

 name applied to several different species. Mr, W. Wilson 

 remarks : — 



" I have never known this name applied to any other bird 

 but the Cormorant ; certainly, at Itasy and in the whole of 

 the district 20 miles round the lake, the name is given 

 only to this one bird, which sits all day long on some con- 

 venient rock or branch of an overhanging tree, watching 

 for the small fishes, which are always abundant in the shal- 

 lower parts of the lake. These birds and their cousins, 

 the Snake-necks, or Darters, always throw the fishes they 



* The Aiujhty is a black spiral freshwater yliell, Mehinntrifi johmoni, 

 E. A. Smith." r. Z. S. 1882, p. ."38.3. 



