XXVIII 



BEAKS 



345 



lakes of Eastern Ethiopia. It posts itself on n, dead 

 bouo-h overhancino- a river, or the stump of a tree, a 

 rock, or tuft of rushes, or a rush-island. This bird 

 swims low, exposing the head and neck, or only the 

 beak when danger threatens : when it dives into the 

 water hardly a ripple follows, and the feet are used as 



The Uarter swims midei- watei' and transfi.xes a tisli on its 

 baN'onet-like bill Ijy a quick thrust, then comes to tlie 

 surface and the fish is jerked into the air, dexterously caught, 

 and swallowed. The edges of the beak are furnished with 

 fine needle-like points directed backward. 



powerful paddles. Tlie darter transfixes the fish on its 

 bayonetdike beak with a (ptick thrust. On coming to 

 the surface of the water, the fish is jerked into the air, 

 dexterously caught, and swallowed. Having satisfied 

 its hunger, the bird returns to a dead l:>ough and 

 spreads its wings '' to dry." The darter rises from the 

 water with some difficulty, and in this act its powerful 



