226 THE ANHINGA. 



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 beak, the slim body, and 

 large webbed feet of the Anhinga, bespeak at once 

 its real character as an excellent diver, which it cer- 

 tainly 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. 



