78 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



of their long neck and slim head. This species is not uncommon with- 

 in its range, frequenting ponds and lakes of fresh water rather than salt. 

 They are very peculiar birds, similiar in construction to the Cormor- 

 ants, but with a more slender body and with a longer neck and smaller 

 head. The feet are totipalmate, that is all the toes are connected by a 

 web. The legs are short but stout and placed far back on the body 

 giving them great swimming powers. The tail is long and the central 

 feathers are peculiarly crimped horizontally. The feathers on their 

 back are stiff and lanceolate, while those of the breast and under parts 

 are soft in texture, resembling fur as much as feathers. They have a 

 highly colored face varying from a yellowish to a livid greenish, and 

 the gular pouch is yellowish or orange. These snake-like birds are 

 peculiar not only in looks but in actions. They roost in colonies on 

 the branches of trees overhanging the water, and on the first suspicion 

 of danger, they all drop from their perches into the water, not appear- 

 ing to the surface until they are at a safe distance. When alarmed 

 they swim with their body entirely submerged only the upper half of 

 their long neck being visible, and that more resembling a water ser- 

 pent than a bird. When swimming in this position they can disappear 

 very quickly and are said to successfully dive at the flash of a gun. 

 When bwimming on the surface, they also have the habits of the Grebe 

 in sinking backwards without leaving a ripple to mark the place of 

 their disappearance. 



Their food consists mainly of fish. They sit sluggishly upon their 

 branches over the water until the impulse of hunger spurs them to 

 activity, then upon sighting a fish, they dive into the water and chase 

 and capture the fish in his own element. This habit is shared also by 

 the Cormorants, and Grebes too often chase and capture their prey 

 beneath the surface. 



Anhingas also construct their nests over the water so they may 

 readily get into their favorite element in case of danger. During the 

 breeding season only, the male is adorned with numerous slender 

 plumes which constrast strongly with his black neck. These are only 

 worn for a few weeks. The female is readily distinguished by her 

 brownish colored neck, with a rich chestnut edge where it meets the 

 black of the under parts. 



