THE ANHINGA. 



395 



and generally at great distances from land; the Anhinga 

 being confined to the savannahs, marshes, and rivers of the 

 hottest parts of the African and American continents. 



The long thin neck and heak, the slim body, and large 

 webbed feet of the Anhinga, bespeak at once its real character 

 as an excellent diver, which it certainly is, for on the 

 slightest appearance of danger, it will disappear in an instant, 

 rising again at the distance of many hundred yards, and 

 then only showing its narrow head just above the surface of 

 the water. It is said that when several are surprised 

 perching, according to their practice, on a branch stretching 

 over a river, they will all drop down together as if dead, 

 and then dive away beyond pursuit. 



Anhinga, or Darter. 



