450 DARTER. 



ten inches long-, and the wings, when closed, reach to about the 

 middle of it, the colour glossy black ; legs and toes yellowish grey, 

 the middle claw toothed, or serrated, on the inner edge. 



Inhabits Brazil, and parts farther south, at least as far as 

 Paraguay, and called Myua. Said to be very adroit in catching 

 fish, for, after the manner of snakes, it first draws up the neck, and 

 darting forth the bill upon the fish, catches it in the claws. Like 

 the Corvorant, it builds the nest on trees, and roosts on them at 

 night, in the manner of that bird; and, when not on the water, is for 

 the most part perched on the highest branches of those which grow 

 in the moist savannas and river sides, being scarcely ever seen on the 

 ground; when at rest, frequently sits with the neck drawn in between 

 the shoulders, in the manner of the Heron ; whereby the breast 

 appears fuller than it naturally is, and the neck considerably shorter. 

 Mr. Bart ram adds, that this bird has a way of spreading out the 

 tail like an unfurled fan. 



They like to sit in little peaceable communities, on the dry limbs 

 of trees, hanging over still waters, with the wings and tails expanded; 

 and when any one approaches, drop off the limb into the water as 

 if dead, and for a minute or two are not seen ; when on a sudden, 

 at a vast distance, their long slender heads and necks only appear, 

 having much the resemblance of snakes, as no other part of them is 

 visible, whilst swimming, except sometimes the tip of the tail. In 

 the heat of the day are seen in great numbers, sailing very high in 

 the air, over lakes and rivers. 



Mr. Abbot, of Georgia, informs me, that this bird is found 

 throughout the year in his neighbourhood, having seen it at times 

 the whole of the winter. The flesh is very fat, but of an oily and 

 disagreeable taste ; and according to Marcgrave, not better than that 

 of a Gull. 



. * Willughby. 



