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ANHINGA OR SNAKE-BIRD. 
Piotus AndinGaé, Linn. 
PLATE CCCXVI. Mate ann FEemate. 
Reaver, the pleasures which I have experienced in the course of 
this chequered life of mine have been many ;—perhaps many more than 
would have fallen to my share, had I not, fortunately for me, become 
a devoted and enthusiastic lover of Nature’s beauteous and wondrous 
works, which, in truth, I have been from the earliest period to which 
my recollection extends ; and those who have known me best will not for 
amoment consider it extravagant in me to say, that among the greatest 
pleasures I have known, has been that derived from pursuing and faith- 
fully describing such of our American birds as were previously unknown or 
but little observed. Many sultry summer days I have passed amidst the 
most dismal swamps of the secluded woods of Louisiana, watching with 
anxiety and in silence the curious habits of the Anhinga; the female bird 
now sitting closely on her eggs, in a nest constructed by herself and se- 
curely placed on the widely extended branch of the tallest cypress, that, 
as if by magic planted, stood in the midst of an ample lake, while with 
keen eyes she watched every motion of the wily Buzzard and cunning 
Crow, lest either of these cowardly marauders might deprive her of 
her treasures; the partner of her cares and joys meanwhile, with out- 
spread wings and fan-like tail, soaring on high, and glancing first anx- 
iously towards her he loves, then in anger towards one and all of their 
numerous enemies. In wider and bolder circles he moves, rising higher 
and still higher, until at length, becoming a mere dusky speck, he al- 
most vanishes from my sight amidst the expanse of the blue sky; but 
now, suddenly closing his wings, and rushing downwards like a meteor, 
I see him instantly alight erect upon the edge of the nest, and com- 
placently gaze upon his beloved. 
After some time, about three weeks perhaps, I have found the egg- 
shells beneath the great cypress tree, cast out of the nest by the intelli- 
gent and attentive mother, and floating on the green slime of the stagnant 
pool. Climbing to the nest itself, I have seen the tender young clad in 
