THE ANHINGA. 
395 
and generally at. great distances from land; the Anliinga 
being confined to the savannahs, marshes, and rivers of the 
hottest parts of the African and American continents. 
The long thin neck and beak, the slim body, and large 
webbed feet of the Anhinga, bespeak at once its real character 
as an excellent diver, which it certainly is, for on the 
slightest appearance of danger, it will disappear in an instant, 
rising again at the distance of many hundred yards, and 
then only showing its narrow head just above the surface of 
the water. It is said that when several are surprised 
perching, according to their practice, on a branch stretching- 
over a river, they will all drop down together as if dead, 
and then dive away beyond pursuit. 
