520 



PELICANID^E ; DARTERS ; TROPIC BIRDS. 



of the Gulls, also, change their abodes periodically ; but rather, 

 it would seem, for the purposes of breeding, or for seeking their 

 food, than for a change of temperature. 



461. The last family of Natatores is that of PELICANID^E, or 

 the Pelican tribe, the birds of which are at once distinguished 

 from the preceding by the length of the hind toe, and its union with 

 the rest in the web (Fig. 190) ; they are consequently excellent 

 swimmers, and they often perch upon trees. The edge of the 

 beak is generally toothed ; and their throat is dilated into a bag, 

 in which they keep the fish as they catch them, to feed their 

 young. The Darters have a long slender bill, broad at the 



base, but much compressed and 

 acute at the tips. They live in 

 small flocks ; perching on trees by the 

 sides of rivers, lakes, and lagoons, 

 at no great distance from the shore ; 

 and darting at fish with their long 

 slender bills and flexible necks. 

 They thus bear a strong resem- 

 blance to the Kingfishers. If alarmed 

 on their perch, they plunge directly 

 into the water almost as if shot, 

 swim for some distance beneath the 

 surface, and then re-appear and 

 dart into the air like an arrow. 

 Their nests are rudely formed of 

 sticks, in the tops of trees. The 

 Darters are found near the eastern coasts of the tropical parts 

 of America ; and on the western coast of tropical Africa. The 

 Tropic-llrds have a long bill, broad at the base, with the edges 

 of the mandibles finely serrated. The general form of the body 

 is like that of- the Gulls ; but there are two narrow middle 

 feathers, which are prolonged far backwards. They are found 

 in tropical climates, where they catch the Flying-fish, &c., on 

 which they prey, hovering over the water, and then suddenly 

 darting down upon any fish within their reach. They rarely, if 

 ever, settle upon the water ; but return every evening to their 



FIG. 302. DARTER. 



