THE GANNET. 283 



they cannot manage this, they carry it to a rock, where they dis- 

 member it with their beak and claws. 



The Anhinga builds its nest on the topmost branches of trees, 

 constructing it of dried twigs and reeds, and lining it inside with 

 a thick layer of down. 



Only two species of the Anhinga are known : the Anhinga 

 (Plotiis) Levaillantii, a native of Africa, the plumage of which is 

 black from the breast to the tail ; and the Black- bellied Darter 

 {Plotus melanogaster), an American species. 



Levaillant, in his usual lively manner, relates that he was 

 induced to visit a rich proprietor in the Canton of the Twenty-four 

 Rivers by a tempting description he received of two extraordinary 

 birds which haunted the vicinity. They frequented a particular 

 tree, and baffled him more than once by their skill ; but at length 

 he got within shot, and killed both of them right and left. He 

 describes them as diving for fish. "When they caught a small 

 one it was swallowed ; when a large one, it was carried to a rock 

 or the trunk of a tree, when the bird, fixing it beneath its feet, 

 picked it to pieces with its bill. Though the water is its favourite 

 element, it is on trees and rocks, he tells us, that it establishes its 

 nest and brings up its young, taking care to place the nest so that 

 the young may be precipitated into the water as soon as they are 

 able to swim, or when the safety of the family requires it. 



The Gtannet {Siila). 

 Synonyms. — Solan Goose, Booby ; Fou de Hassan of tlie Prencli. 



The Gannet is a massively-made bird, not of graceful shape ; 

 it is larger than a Duck, and has white plumage. 



They have obtained the name of " Booby " from the supposed 

 stupidity which, rightly or wrongly, is attributed to them ; for if 

 a man finds one of these birds standing in his way, the creature 

 offers no resistance, but will allow itself to be killed rather than 

 abandon its position. The Frigate Bird, with audacious rapacity, 

 when it observes the Gannet catch a fish, swoops down upon it 

 and compels it to disgorge its prey. Their somewhat imperfect 

 organisation explains this habit of non-resistance. The shortness 

 of their legs and the excessive length of their wings prevent them 



