Co., Florida, in April, 1889. He says he found a peculiar
parasite in the brain of the Anhinga.

The Anhingas consist of but one species, which has a representative in
the warmer parts of each of the great divisions of the earth. The number
seen together varies from eight or ten to several hundred.

The hair-like feathers on the neck form a sort of loose mane.

When asleep the bird stands with its body almost erect. In rainy weather
it often spends the greater part of the day in an erect attitude, with
its neck and head stretched upward, remaining perfectly motionless, so
that the water may glide off its plumage. The fluted tail is very thick
and beautiful and serves as a propeller as well as a rudder in
swimming.

THE AMERICAN WOODCOCK.

Isn't this American Woodcock, or indeed any member of the family, a
comical bird? His head is almost square, and what a remarkable eye he
has! It is a seeing eye, too, for he does not require light to enable
him to detect the food he seeks in the bogs. He has many names to
characterize him, such as Bog-sucker, Mud Snipe, Blind Snipe. His
greatest enemies are the pot hunters, who nevertheless have nothing but
praise to bestow upon him, his flesh is so exquisitely palatable. Even
those who deplore and deprecate the destruction of birds are not
unappreciative of his good qualities in this respect.

The Woodcock inhabits eastern North America, the north British
provinces, the Dakotas, Nebraska and Kansas, and breeds throughout the
range.

Night is the time when the Woodcock enjoys life. He never flies
voluntarily by day, but remains secluded in close and sheltered thickets
till twilight, when he seeks his favorite feeding places. His sight is
imperfect by day, but at night he readily secures his food, assisted
doubtless by an extraordinary sense of smell. His remarkably large and
handsome eye is too sensitive for the glare of the sun, and during the
greater part of the day he remains closely concealed in marshy thickets
or in rank grass. In the morning and evening twilight and on moonlight
nights, he seeks his food in open places. The early riser may find him
with ease, but the first glow from the rays of the morning sun will
cause his disappearance from the landscape.

He must be looked for in swamps, and in meadows with soft bottoms.
During very wet seasons he seeks higher land--usually cornfields--and
searches for food in the mellow plowed ground, where his presence is