New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-14
FLORIDA WATER TURKEYS.
QUEER BIRDS AT THE NATURAL HIS
TORY MUSEUM
RARE SPECIMENS FOUND ON INDIAN RIVER BY
FRANK NJ. CHAPMAN


Comparatively few aquatic birds except those
which are migratory, are remarkable for power
OF flight Indeed, they are apt 10 be deficient
in that respect. On the other hand, birds that
are strong Of wing. such as the lark or hawk.
seldom go near the water, except TO drink.
There are, however. a few winged creatures thar
possess both traits to a remarkable degree and
group Of them secured by Frank NJ Chap
man with great difficulty in Florida constitute
one Of the new acquisitions OF the American
Museum Of Natural History, in West Seventy
seventh-st. The group includes two full grown
specimens and four five nestlings- These
are shown, with nest in a glass case like that
in which Mr.. Chapman exhibited a number OF
pelicans last year.
This pathological novelty is variously known
as the water turkey the snake bird. the darter
and Plotus Anhinga. In size. general coloring
and the possession OF a broad tail II stTikingly
resembles the farmyard turkey, though possibly
II is a trife smaller Its neck is much longer
and more slender. too. This part Of the creature
is curved very much after the fashion Of
swans neck, and is strongly suggestive Of
snake when its body is immersed in the water
The web foot compact under plumage and fond
ness for diving ally it closely 10 the loon. The
water turkey will often swim for long distances
with every part of its body submerged except
the marked characteristics Of a typical aquatic
bird. Yet it will perch on the branch of a tree
just as a hawk does and, what is even more
singular. II will pOise itself in the upper air like
an eagle. maintaining its position apparently
without futter of its powerful pinions-
The swiftness with which it attacks its prey
accounts for the name darter and for the
tention OF what il captures IL is peculiarly
qualified by fine serrations near the end Of its
slender bill. The latter is also employed. it is
believed to peck cut tn eyes of feathered
saiants. Herons have been known to serve
eagle in this manner when the bird of freedom
was too aggressive. Still, il is only during the
brooding season that the heron and water turkey
develop such savage dispositions
Another illustration of the double character
of this queer bird is its nest which shows COM
parativeIy high order Of architectural skill.
whereas aquatic birds usually have only the
most rudimentary Of nests.
The genus PlOtus is found only i'm warm coUn-
tries There are two OF three species found in
the Old World The Anhiuea is The only Ameri-
can species and its habitat is the vicinity of the
Gulf of Mexico and South America Even in
these regions it is not any too abundant To
capture the specimens which have been mounted
for the Natural History Museum MI Chapman
was obliged to push his way up the - Johns
far above navigation
The archaeological branch of the geological
department of the Museum has Of late given at
tention to the birds TO be found within fifty
miles of New-York City. Popular education on
this point was appreciabIy promoted last year
by the arrangement and display of specimens.
with special reference 70 the months and sea
sons. The work is now being extended IN order
to illustrate the nesting habits of these same
birds. The nests of between fifty and a hundred
species Will be shown These vary greatly IN
size, material, textile skill and contents and
constitute particularly popular and fascinating
study The location OF the nest, whether upon
the ground in a sand bank or in tree is also
to be indicated. The value and inteligi biity of
the exhibit viii be enhanced by accompanying
photographs, one. two three of these being
devoted to each species Many of the pictures
were obtained by Mr. Chapman himself Those
who have read his Bird Studies with a Cam
era" know how successful he is in such investi-
cation.