The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-27
Florida Water TurkeYs.

lF'rOm the Chicago Tribune.1
Comparatively few aquatic birds, ex-
cept those which are migratory, are re-
markable for power of flight. Indeed,
they are apt to be deficient in that re-
spect. 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 that possess both traits
to a remarkable degree; and a group of
them, secured by Frank NJ Chapman
with great difficulty in Florida, consti-
tutes one of the new acquisitions of the
American Museum of Natural History,
in West Seventy-seventh street. The
group includes two full grown speci-
mems and four or five nestlings. These
are shown, with a nest, in a glass case
like that in which Mr.. Chapman ex-
hibited a. number of pelicans last year
This pathological novelty is various
~ known as the water turkey. the snake
bird, the darter and Plotus Anhinga. In
size, general cOloring and the possession
of a broad tail it strikingly resembles
the faFmyard turkey, though possibly IL
is a tribe smaller Its neck is much
longer and more slender, too. This part
of the creature is curved very much
after the fashion of a swans neck, and
is strongly suggestive Of a snake when
its body is immersed in the water The
web foot, compact under plumage and
fOndness for diving ally it closely to the
loon. The water turkey will often swim
for long distances with every part of
its body submerged except a small por-
ton of it's bill. Thus it possesses all the
marked characteristics Of a typical
aquatic bird. Yet it Will perch on the
branch of tree, just as a hawk does
and, what is even more singular, 1t will
poise itself in the upper air, like an
eagle, maintaining its position apparently
without a fiutter Of its powerful pin
ions
rT11,e. .-...sft-,a-.- -,-sst- .1.sz1- &.
its prey accounts for the name darter
and for the retention of what it once
captures it is peculiarly qualified by
fine serrations near the end Of it's slen-
der bill. The latter is also employed It
is believed, to peck out the eyes Of feath-
cred assailants. Herons have been
known to serve an eagle in this manner
when the bird of freedom was too
aggressive STILL it is only during the
brOoding season that the heron and
water turkey develop such savage dispO-
sitions.
Another illustration Of the double
character of this queer bird is it's nest.
which shows a comparative high order
Of architectural SKILL whereas aquatic
birds usually have only the most rudi-
nentary of nests.
The genus Plotus is found only in
warm countries. There are two or three
species found in the old world. The An
hinga is the only American species, and
its habitat is the vicinity Of the Gulf of
Mexico and South America Even in
these regions il is not any too abundant.
TO capture the specimens which have
been mounted for the Natural History
museum. Mr.. Chapman was obliged 70
push his way UP the ST. Johns Tar above
navigation.
The archaeological branch of the zoo
logical department Of the museum has
Of late given attention to the birds to be
found within fifty miles of New York
city. Popular education on this point
was appreciably promoted last year by
the ARRANGEMENT and display Of speci-
mems with special reference to the
months and seasons The work is now