238 
SAVAGE SUDAN 
cally a right-angle with the rest. The kink is plainly 
perceptible in the darter, even when the birds are flying 
past. At the moment of the thrust being delivered, this 
cross-set bone straightens out into line, like a released 
spring, thereby giving increased range, and greater force, 
to the blow. 
Neither of these birds impale their prey. A darter, 
on making a catch, usually brings his victim to the 
surface—though nothing but the bird’s head and neck— 
“Crop-Full”—Mid-day. Wood-Ibis at Khor Attar. 
resembling a periscope—appears above-water. 11 can then 
be seen that the fish is held between the mandibles. 
When he feels “cropful,” the darter flops heavily up 
from the water—leaving a troubled wake like a steam-tug 
—and, carrying his latest capture, directs a course towards 
his accustomed perch on some ambatch-bush. Arrived 
thereat, after having gorged his final prey, he utters— 
perhaps by way of Grace ?—a long low chuckle. Then 
he spreads himself out to dry. 
Among other wading-birds observed on these back¬ 
waters of Khor Attar may be briefly summarised 
