ANHINGA OR SNAKE-BIRD. 147 
those of more northern climates. This being the case, and most birds 
endowed with the power of migrating, having a tendency to exercise 
it, may we not suppose that the pair of Anhingas which bred on the St 
John’s in February, might be inclined to breed again either in South 
Carolina or in the neighbourhood of Natchez, several months after. 
- But, as yet, I have not been able to adduce positive proof of the accu- 
racy of this opinion. 
The nest of the Snake-bird is variously placed in different localities ; 
sometimes in low bushes, and even on the common smilax, not more 
than eight or ten feet above the water, if the place be secluded, or on 
the lower or top branches of the highest trees, but always over the 
water. In Louisiana and the State of Mississippi, where I have seen a 
goodly number of nests, they were generally placed on very large and 
tall cypresses, growing out of the central parts of lakes and ponds, or 
overhanging the borders of lagoons, bayous, or rivers, distant from 
inhabited places. They are frequently placed singly, but at times 
amidst hundreds or even thousands of nests of several species of He- 
rons, especially Ardea alba and A. Herodias, the Great White and 
Great Blue Herons. As however in all cases the form, size, and com- 
ponent materials are nearly the same, I will here describe a nest pro- 
cured for the purpose by my friend Bacuman. 
It measured fully two feet in diameter, and was of a flattened form, 
much resembling that of the Florida Cormorant. The first or bottom 
layer was made of dry sticks of different sizes, some nearly half an inch 
in diameter, laid crosswise, but in a circular manner. Green branches 
with leaves on them, of the common myrtle, Myrica cerifera, a quantity 
of Spanish moss, and some slender roots, formed the upper and in- 
side layer, which was as solid and compact as that of any nest of the 
Heron tribe. This nest contained four eggs; another examined on 
the same day had four young birds; a third only three; and in no in- 
stance has a nest of the Anhinga been found with either eight eggs, 
or “ two eggs and six young ones,” as mentioned by Mr Aszort, of 
Georgia, in his notes transmitted to Wi1soy. Mr Aszott is however 
correct in saying that this species “ will occupy the same tree for a se- 
ries of years,” and I have myself known a pair to breed in the same 
nest three seasons, augmenting and repairing it every succeeding 
spring, as Cormorants and Herons are wont to do. The eggs average 
K 2 
