886 
Birds of Celebes; Pbalacrocoracidae. 
The Prigate-bird is perhaps the finest flyer among birds, and those, who 
have watched them in nature, have much that is interesting to say about their 
magnificent evolutions on the wing, and their densely crowded breeding islands. 
They feed on fish and other marine animals, often harassing other sea-birds and 
causing them to disgorge their prey. 
FAMILT FHAIACBOCOBAGIDAE. 
Toes fully webbed, the outermost one the longest, much longer than the 
tarsus, claw of middle toe pectinated; plumage generally dark and glossy above; 
wings rather short, reaching to about the base of the tail; tail moderately long 
and stiff, usually rounded, 12 or 14 feathers, upper tail-coverts short; neck long; 
nostrils wanting. The Darters and Cormorants are best distinguished from other 
Steganopodes by the outer toe being considerably the longest, and by their short 
wings and stiff tails. 
GENUS PL'OTUS L. 
The Darters differ from the Cormorants chiefly by the straight slender bill, 
with the tomia furnished with long serrations directed backwards; by the ex- 
tremely long neck, which is as long or longer than the body; and by the absence 
of any appreciable pouch on the upper throat. The genus is represented by 
four species in the warm parts of America, Africa, and Asia to Australia. 
376. PLOTUS MELANOGASTER (P enn.). 
Indian Darter. 
a. Anhinga melanogaster (I) Penn., Ind. Zool. 1781, p. 13, pi. XIII; (2) Newt., Str. P. 1879, 
IX, 415; (3) Harter t, J. f. 0. 1891, 302. 
Plotus melanogaster (1) Gm., S. N. 1788, I, 580, pt.; (2) Lath., Ind. Orn. 1790, n, 865; 
(3) Horsf., Tr. L. S. Xin, 1821, 198; (4) Eaffl., t. c. 1822, 330; (5) Begbie, 
Malay Penin. 1834, 515; (6) Gray, Gen. B. HI, 664 (1848); (7) Blyth, Cat. B. 
Mus. A. 8. B. 1849, 299; (8) Bp., Consp. 1855, II, 181; (9) Sclil., Mus. P.-B , 
Pelecani, 1863, 26, pt. ; (10) Jerd., B. India 1864, m, 861; (11) Mart., J. f. O. 1866, 
230; (12) Wald., Tr. Z. S. 1872, Vin, 106; (13) Meyer, J. f. 0. 1873, 405; (14) 
Adam, Str. P. 1873, I) 403; (15) Ball, ib. 1874, H, 440; (16) Wald., Tr. Z. S. 
1875, IX, 247; (17) Salvad., Oat. Ucc. Borneo 1874, 367 pt.; (18) Briigg., Abb. 
Ver. Bremen 1876, V, 99; (19) Hartl., Vdg. Madag. 1877, 396; (20) Rosenb. , 
Malay. Arcbip. 1878, 279; (21) Hume & Davis., Str. P. 1878, VI, 496; (22) Meyer, 
Ibis 1879, 145; (XXIII) Milne-Ed. & Grandid., Ois. Madag. 1879, 1, 690, pis. 284, 
285 (syn. emend.); (24) Legge, B. Ceylon 1880, 1194; (25) Bosenb., Zool. Garten 
1881, 167; (26) W. Rams., Index Tweedd. Om. Works 1881, 660; (27) W.A.Porbes, 
P. Z. S. 1882, 208; (28) Salvad., Orn. Pap. 1882, HI, 407; (29) Kelb., Ibis 1882, 
203; (30) Oates, B. Br. Burmab 1883, II, 235; (31) Vorderm., N. T. Ned. Ind. 
