PLOTin.K — THE ANMIINdAS — PLOTl'S. 



109 



case with tin* Hevoiis ; \nv in the Anhiiigii tlic folds ;\\v shortor, so that a greater 

 liiij^th of tho mrk is fxti'iuh'tl in front of tiuMU. Tliiro isan'mcnt during the 

 ixpaiisiou of tho wings whon the neck may 1m' sci'u fully I'xttMuU'd; tiiis is wlicn tho 

 liinl (piits its porch. So sudiU'nly is tho nock ♦'ohlod in this niovomont, a:.d so unlike is 

 tills action to that of Jlorons whon getting t)n wing, that a wrong inference has boon 

 liawn in regard to the jiosition of tho Anhinga's notik w'lon that bird is on tho wing. 



In a sul)sc(|uent letter Mr. Moore again repeats hi; observations as to tho fishing 

 of tliis spe(^io8 in salt water in localities whore there is a constant ebb and flow of 

 tlio tiilo. Tho bird seoniod to him to delight to forage in water of an obstructed 

 iiatiuo. no matter whotlu-r fresh or salt, as it very rarely resorted to the open water 

 (if tho bay or to the mouths of (u-eeks, to obtain its prey by a clear chase, insteiul of 

 taking it by surprise. 



Audubon states that he lias known a few birds of this sju'cies extend their migra- 

 tions in spring as far to the north as Xorth Carolina, where they breed near tho coasts. 

 Tlu'y go up tho Mississippi to Natohez; and are there known to the (Creoles by tho 

 name of J!ir << Ldiin-fft: At tho mouth of that river they are called by the tishormen 

 tiio " Wati'r Crow," and in Florida tho "(irocian Lady." To some person., this bird 

 is known as a Cornu)rant. In Carolina it is tho " Snake-bird," and the nuilo is termed 

 the •• lUack-bollied Darter." 



It was found by Mr. Konnicott to bo comnu)n in the vicinity of Cairo, 111., in 1855, 

 and was also seen in the saujo locality by Mr. Nelson in lS7r>. 



Tiiese bu'ds, in their migrations, move northward in April, and return to tho bor- 

 ders of the (iulf in Novend)or, where many are resid«'nt throughout the year. Audu- 

 lioii never happeiu'tl to moot with this bird wiion it was feeding in salt water, but has 

 Kciicrady found it in still water, and in suoh secluded pliu-es as wore abundantly 

 siii)|il!cd witii Hsh. 



Audid)on never saw the Anlii'iga jdungo or dive for its prey from an eminonoe. 

 It is nu)ro or less gregarious by habit, tho number soon together varying with tho 

 attractions of the locality, and ranging from eight or ton to thirty, or even several 

 Inindred. In the brooding-season it moves in pairs. It is a diurnal bird, and if 

 uiiniolestcd, returns eaeh night to the same roosting-plaeo. AVlion asleep it is said 

 to stand with its body almost erect. In rainy weather it often spends tho greater 

 part of tho tlay standing erect, with its nock and head stretched ujiward, renuiining 

 IK'vrcctiy motionless, so tiiat the water may glide olT its \ iiimago. Tho roosting-plaeo 

 (il tiu' Anhinga is generally ovrr water, often in the midst of some stagnant po(d. 



This is said to 1m^ the very first among fresh-water divers, disappearing beneath 

 tli< surface with the (piickness of thought, leaving scarcely a lipplo on tho spot, and 

 rcaiipearing. porhajis with its head only above the water for a UKunent, at a jdaco 

 .several hmulreil yards distant. If hit. and oidy woundeil this bird readily bailies 

 all the enileav(us of the sportsniau to .secure it. When swimming, and unmolested, 

 it is inuiyant, and mctves with its whole body above the waie. ; but when in danger 

 it sinks its Inidy, leaving only the hoa<l and nock out of tho water, i)re.senting tho 

 appearance of a portion of a large snake. 



Key, Dr. Hai'hmau, ol Charleston. S. ('., kept one in conlinement until it l)ooamn 

 i|uitc tanu'. This bird had the curious haiiit of diving under any substaiu-o floating 

 (111 the H\ufa(^o of tho water, snch jis rice-ehatf. When swimming beneath tho surface 

 (if the water, tho Anhinga spreads its wings jiartially, keeps its tail ox])anded, and 

 uses th( feet as paddles either simultaneously or alternately. Wlu i taken young it 

 is "(intent in its state of domestication; and even though left at full liberty to lish 

 for itself, returns to its honu* at night to roost. 

 Vol.. \[.—T2 



