ANHINGA OR SNAKE-BIRD. 151 
The water became shallow, the mire deeper and softer, and the boat 
required the best of management to be propelled along, for now it was 
retarded by rushes and vines. Enormous live oaks and cypress trees 
reared their majestic branches towards the pure sky above, covered as 
they were with dangling masses of Spanish moss, reaching to the very 
surface of the water, and turning day into night. Alligators of great 
size wallowed in the mire, or were heard to plunge into it, from the 
many logs which ever and anon intercepted my progress, while ter- 
rapins, snakes, and other reptiles swarmed around. My situation 
was thus not altogether so very pleasant, and the less so as it was 
necessary for me to destroy as many musquitoes as possible, and guard 
against being upset in such a truly “ dismal swamp.” We moved 
extremely slowly, yet advanced, and at last, having reached an open 
space where the trees were of small size and height, I espied the nest 
of the Anhinga before me! The female was sitting on it, but on 
our coming nearer she raised herself by her bill to a branch about 
one foot above, and there stood with outstretched neck, like a statue. 
It was cruel thus to disturb her in her own peaceful solitude; but 
naturalists, alas! seldom consider this long, when the object of their 
pursuit is in their view and almost within their grasp. Being now 
within twenty yards of the innocent and interesting creature, I pointed 
my short rifle towards her, and immediately fired ; but the unsteadiness 
of the canoe, and perhaps that of a hand not accustomed to this wea- 
pon, saved her life. She remained in her statue-like posture, the rifle 
was reloaded, and thrice fired, without touching her; but at last a 
bullet having cut through the branch on which she stood, she spread 
her dark pinions, and launching into the air, was soon beyond the reach 
of my eyes, and I trust of further danger.” 
The same kind friend having procured eggs and young of this in- 
teresting bird, I will present you with his observations respecting them. 
He writes thus:—‘“ I brought home three young Snake-birds, two of 
which I immediately undertook to raise and domesticate, entrusting the 
third to the care of one of our mutual friends. I found no difficulty m 
rearing one of them. The other, by neglect of my servant, died a few 
weeks afterwards, during a short personal absence. Whilst these two 
birds were yet in the same cage, it was curious indeed to see the smaller 
one when hungry incessantly trying to force its bill into the mouth and 
throat of the other, which, after being thus teased for a short time, 
