2044 



THE CORMORANT GROUP 



where trees are abundant, well- wooded islands being their especial favorites. On 

 the rivers of the Chobi valley, Livingstone states that one of these birds may be 

 seen perched bn almost every rock and stump, "either sunning itself over the stream, 

 or standing erect with outstretched wings. Occasionally it may be seen fishing, 

 with its'bod)^ so much submerged that hardly anything but the neck appears above 

 the water. Its time of feeding is by night, and, as the sun declines, it may be seen 



AFRICAN DARTER. 



(One-fourth natural size.) 



flying in flocks to the fishing grounds. It is a most difficult bird to catch, even 

 when disabled, in consequence of its expertness in diving; it goes down so adroitly 

 and comes up again in such unlikely places, that the most skillful boatmen rarely 

 secure them." Of the black-bellied Indian species, Mr. G. Reid writes that " dur- 

 ing the day it is fond of sunning itself on the grassy banks of lakes and on the bare 

 branches of trees, on their margins flying off or darting into the water on the 



