File:The royal natural history (1893) (14804725393).jpg

Identifier: royalnaturalhist47lyde (find matches)
Title: The royal natural history
Year: 1893 (1890s)
Authors: Lydekker, Richard, 1849-1915 Sclater, Philip Lutley, 1829-1913 Frostick, W. B., former owner. DSI Brooks, W. T., former owner. DSI
Subjects: Zoology Natural history
Publisher: London and New York : Frederick Warne & Co.
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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r, and the foot greenishgrey. In the female the tints are less bright. The New and Old World species,although externally so alike, difter remarkably in the structure of their internalorgans. Darters frequent the banks of rivers, lakes, and swamps, where they may befound either singly, in pairs, or in immense flocks; and generally select localitieswhere trees are abundant, well-wooded islands being their especial favourites. Onthe rivers of the Chobi Valley, Livingstone states that one of these l)irds may be DARTERS. 281 seen perched on almost eveiy rock and stump, either sunning itself over thestream, or standing erect with outstretched wings. Occasionally it may be seenhshing, w4th its body so much submerged that hardly anything but the neckappears above the water. Its time of feeding is by night, and, as the sun declines,it may be seen flying in flocks to the fishing-grounds. It is a most difficult birdto catch, even when disabled, in consequence of its expertness in diving: it goes
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AFRICAN DAKTEU \\ Uat. size). down so adroitly and comes up again in such unlikely places, that the most skilfulboatmen rarely secure them. Of the black-bellied Indian species, Mr. G. Reidwrites that during the day it is fond of sunning itself on the grassy banks oflakes and on the bare branches of trees, on their margins flying off or darting intothe water on the approach of danger. It is capable of moving for considerabledistances under water, and usually swims with nothing but its liead and neckexposed, though, when danger threatens, everything but its bill disappears, till itconsiders it has gone far enough to be perfectly safe, when it gradually shows up 282 STEGANOPODOUS BIRDS. again. When swimming with only the head and neck exposed, these birds may easily be mistaken for snakes; wdiile their flight is exceedingl)- like that of cormorants. Their food consists exclusively of small fishes, which they capture in the water and transfix with their sharp beaks. From observations made

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