DARTERS. 



281 



seen perched on 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 body 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 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 



AFRICAN DARTER ( nat. size). 



down so adroitly and comes up again in such unlikely places, that the most skilful 

 boatmen rarely secure them." Of the black-bellied Indian species, Mr. G. Reid 

 writes that " during 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 approach of danger. It is capable of moving for considerable 

 distances under water, and usually swims with nothing but its head and neck 

 exposed, though, when danger threatens, everything but its bill disappears, till it 

 considers it has gone far enough to be perfectly safe, when it gradually shows up 



