iS4 TRAVELS IN 
on rocks and trees ; but It takes great care to 
place them in fuch a manner that it can preci- 
pitate them into a river as foon as they are able 
to fwlm, or the fafety of the little family may 
require it. - 
There are, in general, few animals fo fierce 
and fo cunning as diving birds; but, in my 
opinion, the one I am defcribing furpafies in 
fagacity all the other fpecies, particularly when 
furprifed fwimming ; for it is then very diffi- 
cult, I may fay indeed impoffible, to kill it, as 
its head, which is the only part expofed, 
plunges and difappears the inftant the flint 
touches the hammer of the fufee ; and if once 
miffed, it is in vain to think of approaching it 
a fecond time, as it never fliows itfelf more, 
but at very great diftances, and then only for 
the moment neceffary for breathing. In fhort, 
fo cunning is it, that it will often baffle the 
fportfman, by plunging at the diftance of a 
hundred paces above him, and rifmg again to 
breathe at the diftance of more than a thoufand 
paces below him ; and if it has the good for- 
tune to find any reeds, it conceals itfelf there, 
and entirely difappears. 
The male anhinga, of which I here fpeak^ 
•4 differs 
