50 Wonders of the Bird World 



addition to this barb-bearing bill, the Darter has a very 

 curious " kink" in the neck, in the region of the eighth and 

 ninth vertebrae, which accounts for the irregular curve 

 which is seen in the bird's neck as it sits at rest. On 

 diving after a fish, which it does with extraordinary celerity, 

 the Darter pierces its prey through with the bill, for by 

 reason of the muscles which are attached to the " kink," 

 the neck is let go, as if it were a spring, and is straightened 

 out in the act of striking. The name of " Snake-bird " is 

 given to the Darter, from its habit of swimming with the 

 body submerged, so that only the long, snake-like head 

 and neck are seen above the surface of the water. In the 

 Fish- house at the Zoological Gardens an example of a 

 Darter is generally to be found, and the marvellous diving 

 powers of the bird can there be studied, as well as its 

 activity in securing a fish. It should be noticed that a 

 Darter propels itself under water by means of its feet, and 

 does not use the wings at all. 



During the breeding season the male displays consider- 

 able power of " showing-off" to his mate, and flies in the air 

 before her in zig-zag courses. The nests are built of sticks 

 and placed on trees, often in close proximity and in the 

 company of Herons and Cormorants, the eggs being chalky- 

 white like those of the latter birds. Pelicans likewise 

 have these chalky eggs, and in those of Cormorants and 

 Grebes the real colour of the egg is greenish below, but this 

 colour can only be observed by removing the outer layer 

 of chalk. 



A relation of the Darter is the Frigate Bird, often 

 called the " Man-of-War Bird." There are two species of 

 the genus Fregata, a large and a small one, F. aquila and 

 F. minor. Both are inhabitants of the tropical seas, and 

 are remarkable for their powers of flight, and for their 

 somewhat raptorial habits, for they pursue the smaller Gulls 

 and Gannets and force them to disgorge their hard-earned 



