TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS 



DARTERS. Family ANHINGIDAE 



118. Water Turkey. Anhiiiga anhinga. 



Range.— Tropical America, north to the South Atlantic States and up the 

 Mississippi Valley to Illinois. 



Anhingas or Snalce Birds are curiously formed creatures with a Heron-like 

 head and neck, and the body of a Cormorant. They live in colonies in inacces- 

 sible swamps. Owins to their thin and light bodies, they are remarkable 



swimmers, and pursue and catch fisli 



^,-._ : ,s.,;i.^,. under water with ease. When alarm- 



■'■■'■• ed they have a habit of sinking their 



,;'■ ■ body below water, leaving only their 



tS' head and neclf visible, thereby having 



,. ■; the appearance of a water snake. 



Tliey also fly well and dive from tlieir 

 perch into the water with the greatest 

 ( plerity. 



They nest in colonies in the swamps, 

 placing their nests of sticks, leaves 

 and moss in the bushes over the 

 water. They breed in April, laying 

 from three to five bluish eggs, covered with a chalky deposit. Size 2.25 x 1.35. 

 Data. — Gainesville, Florida. May IS, 1894. Nest in the top of a button-wood 

 tree, made of leaves and branches, overhanging the water. Collector, George 

 Grab am . 



Chalkj- bliUHh white 



.^ 



PELICAN POND 

 Washington Zoological Park 



77 



