SNAKE B1BD. 
471 
filamentous feathers of head and neck, -white markings, and corrugations of tail feathers. Nestlings. Are covered with a 
yellowish down. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
Easily recognized by the peculiar form and color. Distributed, in summer, from the Carolinas, southward. Winters 
in Florida. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of specimens from Florida. Length, 34*50; stretch, 44*25; wing, 12 75; tail, 10*08; bill, 2 95; 
tarsus, 1*48. Longest specimen, 35*75; greatest extent of wing, 46 00; longest wing, 13 75; tail, 10 75; bill, 3*10; tarsus, 1*70. 
Shortest specimen, 33*25; smallest extent of wing, 42*00; shortest wing, 11*75; tail, 9*40; bill, 2*65; tarsus, 1*25. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, placed in trees, composed of sticks. Eggs, three to five in number, oval in form, and bluish-white in color, cov¬ 
ered with a white calcareous deposit. Dimensions from 1*10x2*15 to 1*25x2*25. 
HABITS. 
The Snake Birds, Anhingas, or Water Turkeys, as they are termed in various locali¬ 
ties, are among the most singular and interesting birds found in Florida, for they possess 
habits which characterize several species, besides many which are peculiar to themselves. 
They perch on trees like Cormorants but spread their wings in the sun when sitting, like 
Vultures, and if fired at with a rifle, when at a distance, will not move. A near shot, how¬ 
ever, whether it hits or not, always sends them tumbling end over end into the water, when 
they will instantly disappear, diving and remaining under the surface as readily as Grebes, 
which birds they also resemble in possessing the power of moving with the body submerged 
and the head, and often the entire neck, above the surface. When thus engaged, the great¬ 
ly elongated neck is twisted about in a manner which strongly reminds one of the writh¬ 
ing of a serpent; hence the name of Snake Bird which is most often applied to them. Aft¬ 
er eating, the Anhingas soar on motionless wings, high in air, like Pelicans, and often 
gather in flocks at such times, but when sitting, it is rare to find more than three or four 
together and they usually associate in pairs. During the breeding season, however, they 
congregate in rookeries, often in company with other birds, and I have found them nesting 
with the White and Night Herons. The domiciles are placed in trees, are rather bulky, 
being about eighteen inches in diameter, deeply hollowed, and occasionally lined with the 
downy catkins of the willow. The eggs, which are usually four but occasionally five in 
number, are deposited about the middle of March. When their homes are approached, the 
Snake Birds silently leave them but appear quite solicitous for the safety of their eggs, as 
they will circle about, uttering aloud, grunting sound, their only note, often coming with¬ 
in gun shot, but like all members of the present order, are very difficult to kill. 
Chief Tiger brought me a young Anhinga, about half grown, from the Everglades, 
about the middle of April. It possessed much more intelligence than one would suppose, 
for it became very tame, fed readily, was not inclined to wander, and found its way every 
night to its perch in the corner of a room, not attempting to roost outside. This bird was 
very gentle in disposition; so much so, that it would never attempt to defend itself against 
the attacks of a White Heron which I kept at the same time, and from which the Anhinga 
at last received an injury which proved fatal. 
FAMILY V. TACIIYPETIDiE. THE FRIGATE BIRDS. 
Bill , longer than head wide , strong , and hooked at tip. Gular sac , small. Sternum , 
much luidcr than long. Coracoids , considerably longer than sternum. Keel , not projected 
forward. 
