xm, D, 1 McGregor: Philippine Birds, II 13 



it played with the fishes without picking them up or tossed 

 them into the air and failed to catch them and then worried 

 them around in the water pan. Later the fishes were thrown 

 to the bird, one by one, and it now catches them on the fly almost 

 without a miss. After catching a fish, the bird always throws 

 it into the air to get it headed in the right direction. One day 

 this bird caught and swallowed twenty-two small fishes almost 

 as fast as they could be tossed to it. At this time we gave no 

 more, as our supply was exhausted. The fishes fed each day 

 are small sardines and similar kinds 60 to 75 millimeters long 

 and about 20 millimeters deep. 



The darters are well known for their habit of standing with 

 the wings extended as if hung out to dry. Our specimen ex- 

 pands its wings at frequent intervals during the day, and at 

 such times it displays accurate muscular control of the feathers. 

 The long scapular feathers are raised so that they stand at 

 various angles to the back; the alula extends free from the 

 wing; the upper and the under wing coverts and the feathers 

 along the edge of the wing are raised almost at right angles to 

 the respective surfaces from which they originate. Some of 

 these raised feathers can be distinctly seen in the photographs 

 (Plate II). These feathers are often raised when the wings 

 are folded. The characteristic transverse ribs of the larger 

 scapular feathers can be seen in one of the photographs. Our 

 specimen often flaps its wings vigorously before spreading 

 them. In this way the tips of the primaries have become worn 

 off against the wire netting of the cage. The only vocal effort 

 I have heard this bird make is a weak, monosyllabic, gutteral 

 kuak, uttered two or three times with about one-second inter- 

 vals. The note is used to express a state of contentment or of 

 excitement. 



Several times I have carefully approached the cage after 

 dark and have always found the bird with its head buried in 

 the feathers far down its back. I have found it in this position 

 in the daytime. It awakes very readily, even so slight a sound 

 as that made by opening a wooden match box may disturb it. 

 At times it rests on one foot, the toes of the other being curled 

 up. It is very adept at scratching itself. It may begin near 

 the base of the bill and vigorously comb the feathers of the 

 neck, working gradually toward the body for several centi- 

 meters. The long neck greatly facilitates the preening process, 

 and the bird spends much time in this part of its toilet. The 



