26 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



and brings it wriggling to the surface, when it is 

 tossed up and swallowed. See Plate 38, Fig. 222. 



The subject illustrated here is a native of tropical 

 and sub-tropical America, ranging northwards to 

 West Mexico and South Carolina; but different 

 species are met with in other parts of the world. Like 

 the Cormorants, the Darters, in summer, have the 

 neck adorned with long, white, hair-like feathers, 

 known as filo-plumes. They are further remarkable 

 for the fact that the tail-feathers are curiously corru- 

 gated. Though occurring on the sea-coasts, the 

 Darter is more strictly a river bird. 



One of the best known species of Snake-bird nests 

 in the swamps and lagoons of Florida, and these birds 

 may often be seen sitting on branches of trees in the 

 bright sunlight, drying themselves after the manner 

 of the Cormorants. While in this position, although 

 the body and wings remain stationary, the head is con- 

 tinually turning round on the snake-like neck. Dar- 

 ters are extremely wary and difficult to approach. 

 They are strong and graceful in flight, soaring high 

 above their nests, much like the Eagle. The male 

 bird is a rich dark bottle-green colour, with very soft 

 and shining feathers. The upper feathers on the 

 wing and back are covered with a curious chalk-like 

 substance, forming a pattern which looks not unlike 

 lace overlying the dark green. This substance is only 

 on the surface of the feathers, however, and can easily 

 be rubbed off. During the breeding season, the eyelids 

 and the bare skin around the base of the beak become 

 very brilliant' in colour, an emerald-green, with outer 

 edges shading into deep cerulean blue, while the eye 



