THE ANHINGA. 
221 
from land ; tlie Anhinga 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 cer- 
tainly 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 to- 
gether as if dead, and then dive away beyond 
pursuit. 
