232 BULLETIN 121, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Eggs. — The full set usually consists of four eggs, sometimes only 

 three and sometimes five. The eggs are often laid at irregular 

 intervals, as the young in a nest are frequently of widely different 

 ages. The eggs have been described as resembling other eggs of 

 the Steganopodes, but to me they look quite different and easily 

 recognizable. The shape varies from "ovate," slightly elongated, 

 to " elliptical ovate " or " elongate ovate." The ground color is pale 

 bluish white, which is usually more or less covered with a very thin 

 coating of chalky deposit, rarely roughly or thickly covered with 

 it; this is generally quite smooth, and after the &gg has been incu- 

 bated for a while it even becomes quite glossy. The color is always 

 more or less concealed by brownish, buffy, or yellowish nest stains, 

 which will not wash off; some eggs are uniformly stained a rich 

 cinnamon or buff color over the entire surface. 



The measurements of 42 eggs in the United States National Mu- 

 seum average 52.5 by 35 millimeters; the eggs showing; the four 

 extremes measure 57.5 by 35, 54 by 37.5, 47 by 33.5, and 53.5 by 

 33 millimeters. 



Young. — The young remain in the nest or near it until they are 

 fully grown and able to fly, using both bills and feet to climb out of 

 the nest and over the surrounding branches. Audubon (1840) says 

 on this subject: 



At an early age the young utter a low wheezing call, and at times some cries 

 resembling those of the young of the smaller species of herons. From birth 

 they are fed by regurgitation, which one might suppose an Irksome task to the 

 patent birds, as during the act they open their wings and raise their tails. I 

 have not been able to ascertain the period of incubation, but am sure that the 

 male and the female sit alternately, the latter, however, remaining much longer 

 on the nest. Young anhingas when approached while in the nest cling 

 tenaciously to it until seized, and if thrown down they merely float on the 

 water and are easily captured. 



Flumages. — The young snake bird, when first hatched, is naked 

 and yellowish buff in color, very different from the jet-black young 

 of cormorants, but it soon becomes covered with a short, thick coat of 

 soft buff-colored down, which contrasts prettily with its black bill. 

 The peculiar snake-like attitude of the head and neck give the young 

 bird a very curious appearance at this age. Audubon (1840) says 

 of the development of the young : 



When they are three weeks old, the quills and tail feathers grow rapidly but 

 continue of the same dark-brown color, and so remain until they are able to 

 fly, when they leave the nest, although they still present a singular motley 

 appeai-ance, the breast and back being buff-colored, while the wings and tail 

 are nearly black. After the feathers of the wings and tail are nearly fully 

 developed, those of the sides of the body and breast become visible through 

 the down and the bird appears more curiously mottled than before. 



