198 THE DARTER. 



wings spread, five feet in extent. The bill is four 

 inches long. 



What is the colour of this bird ? 



The colour of its neck, and all the under parts, is 

 greenish black ; the tail is black, tipped with white ; 

 the back and sides are black ; the sides spotted with 

 white ; quill feathers white ; lower mandible, and 

 around the eyes, yellow ; from the crown of the head, 

 a white stripe runs half way down the neck. 



What is the shape of this bird ? 



The form of the Darter is slender and beautiful : 

 the neck is long, and is joined to the body by a grace- 

 ful swell towards the breast; the head is small, 

 ending in a long, sharp pointed bill ; the legs are only 

 about three inches long, and the feet are webbed. 

 The aspect of the head and bill is spiteful and danger- 

 ous. 



Where is this bird found ? 



This bird is an inhabitant of the Carolinas, Georgia 

 and Florida. It is also found in South America, 

 China, and other warm countries. 



This bird lives on fish, which he strikes with his 

 sharp bill, and by which they are pierced, as with a 

 dart, and hence the name Darter. 



They build their nests on trees and rocks, always 

 taking care, however, that the place is so near the 

 water, that they can dive into it in time of danger. 



Mr. Bartram, who saw these birds in Florida, says, 

 that they delight to sit in little communities, on the 

 dry limbs of trees, hanging over the still water, in 

 order to cool themselves, and at the same time to see 

 their images in the water, as in a looking-glass. At 



