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170 



TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS — STEGANOPODES. 



Tlio nests of the Anhinga are variously placed — sometimes in a low bush ; on the 

 common smilax, at an elevation of only a few feet ; or on the upper branches of a lii<,'li 

 tree; b\it always over the water. They are sometimes alone, at other times sur- 

 rounded by hundreds of nests of various species of Herons. The nest of the Auhint,M 

 is about two feet in diameter, and of a flattened shape. The foundation is nuule ot 

 dry sticks laid crossways, so as to pudose a circular space. The inner part of tlic 

 nest — which is solid and compact — is made up with branches and leaves of the com- 

 mon myrtle, Spanish moss, and slender roots. The number of eggs is usually four, 

 and never more than this number. The same nest is frequently used several seasons 

 in succession. 



Audubon describes the eggs as measuring 2.63 inches in length by 1.25 in breadth, 

 as being of an elongated oval form, of a dull uniform whitish color externally, and 

 as covered with a chalky substance, beneath which the shell is of a light blue, 

 resembling the eggs of the diiferent sjjecies of Cormorants. The yoiuig are covered 

 Avith buff-K'olored down, resendding ycmng Cormorants, though of a different color. 

 They are fed by regurgitation of prepared food, and the act of feeding is said to bi- 

 done at great inconveineuce and in an awkward manner. Hoth parents sit on the 

 eggs, and take part in feeding the young. 



The manuscript notes of Dr. IJerlandier, of Matamoras, mention this species as 

 being found in the swamps and marshes of Texas and Tamaulipas, where it feeds 

 on lisli, and is called tlie !/iirsii — a nanu' soim'What indiscrimiiuitely given by the 

 Mexicans to a great variety of Herons and other birds. 



Eggs of this si>ecies, collected in Florida by Dr. Hryant (No. 3838), present tin- 

 same chalky apiu'arance as do the eggs of the Cormorants, and are of a uniform bluisli 

 ehalky-white color, of an oblong oval .shape, ranging from 2.(K) to 2.30 inches in 

 length, and h'oin 1.30 to 1.40 in breadth. 



Fa.mily SULID/K. — Thk Gannkts. 



f'llAK. Hill somewhat conical, very thick tlirougli the bnso, Imt ra]tidly ta])er- 

 ing to tlio tip, the maxillary unguis Itcin;,' only faintly indicated, and Imt sliglitl.v 

 curved ; basal portion of the nmxillary touiiuin covered by a supernumerary wedge- 

 shaped piece, distinctly separated from tlie anterior portion ; nostrils obsolete ; lores, 

 malar region, chin, and more or It^ss of tlie tliroat nakcti ; outer toe aliout eijual In 

 the middle, or very slightly longer; inner c'dge of middle claw distinctly pectinatnl 

 Tail about half as long as the wing, cuneatc, the fealliers tapering toward the tips. 



The (Sannets are jierhajis projKM'ly separable into two genera — Siilit and Jh/sjm- 

 riis ; the latter including only the .V. finnsdiin. Ihi'. in considering the sumll mnulM r 

 of Anu'rican species, no great violence will Im' do!u,' in referring them to a single 

 genus. 



GKVtTH SULA, Mkissov. 



Su!a, HlUHN. Orii. VI. I'/tlO, 4li.'i (ty]"', liy cliiiiiiialion, i'r/inniiiii hiini'iasfir, nnim.). 

 IhlHiioruH, Ir.i.Mi. I'ltMlr. isil, 'llv (\\\*; l>y I'liniiiiaiion, Pilirninis /(i/*«i/(u/.«, Linn.). 

 I'ixeiitn'j; ItKicil. Av. Synt. \M'2, \i. vi (typi-, Pilirnnux jii'senlur, Linn.). 

 PhincuH, UkH'II. 1. I'. (ty|ii', I'rlirnHKn /uiirim, (iM. f), 



CjiAK. Smiic n* tlioHc of tlic fiunily. 



Till- fi'iir NoHIi AimTicun MjH-cicH of this gcnuH may bv illHtiiiguished as follows: — 



<]<■ 

 til. 

 hi 

 tin 

 Il< 

 III. 

 ill 



