410 
Synopsis of the Birds 
Inhabits the tropical seas : common during summer on the 
coasts of the southern states. 
81 . PLOTUS. 
Plotus, L. Gm. Lath . Ill . Cuv. i Vieill. Temm. Ranz . 
Anhinga , Briss . Forster . Ptinx , Moehring. Merganser , Bar - 
rere Klein. 
Bill longer than the head, very slender, straight, conic- 
elongated, acuminate, much compressed, very acute, mandi- 
bles equal ; edges finely serrated obliquely at the point ; 
upper mandible perfectly straight throughout, margins dila- 
ted at base, compressed and bent in towards the point ; lower 
hardly shorter, somewhat obtusely angular beneath : nostrils 
in a slight obliterated furrow, basal, longitudinal, linear, 
scarcely apparent : tongue very short, involved in the mem- 
brane of the mouth. Head small, elongated, cylindrical ; 
face and throat naked ; eyes moderate : neck very long and 
slender, bent in the middle : body massive. Feet short, 
stout, drawn up into the belly ; tarsus half shorter than the 
middle toe, robust, naked ; outer toe somewhat longest ; hind 
toe half as long as the outer : connecting membrane broad, 
full, entire : nails robust, curved, very acute, the middle pec- 
tinated on the inner edge. Wings moderate, tuberculated $ 
first primary equal to the fourth ; second and third longest. 
Tail long, spreading, of twelve feathers ; feathers broad, 
rounded, rigid, deeply striated, and appearing figured. 
Female similar to the male. Young differing much from 
the adult, and changing repeatedly. Moult twice in the year, 
acquiring additional ornamental feathers in the spring. Plu- 
mage very soft, close, and downy. Colors black. 
Exceedingly aquatic. Extremely shy and vigilant. Live 
in families, keeping in fresh water, far from the sea. Never 
walk nor remain on the wing, resting only on trees, whence 
they plunge directly into their favorite element : swim very 
deep, their head only appearing above water, and even that 
