“Exceedingly abundant about Lake Naujan in Mindoro, where it breeds. Rarer about fresh-water streams in the interior of that island. Not met with by us outside of Mindoro.
“Always swims with its body entirely immersed, and can remain under water an incredibly long time. Flies with difficulty when it first rises from water. Makes straight for some good roosting place, preferably a stump or log in the edge of the water, where it alights, turns its back to the sun, spreads its wings, and remains until thoroughly dry. When dry it flies rapidly, and may often be seen during the heat of the day soaring at a considerable height.” (Bourns and Worcester MS.)
“Very abundant on the upper waters of the Rio Grande de Cagayan in Isabela Province, and on the upper Agusan River and its lake system in Mindanao.” (Worcester.)
The Indian darter is fairly abundant along the Baco River in Mindoro and on the Cagayan River in the vicinity of Aparri, Luzon. Clemens collected specimens on Lake Lanao, Mindanao.
Family SULIDÆ.
Bill stout and pointed, tapering gradually, the tip slightly curved but never hooked; a groove along each side of culmen; nostrils completely closed in adults; wings long and pointed, first primary longest; tail long and wedge shaped; tarsus short and stout; outer and middle toes nearly equal; claw of middle toe broad and pectinate.
Genus SULA Brisson, 1760.
Characters same as those given for the Family.
Species.
- a1. Upper parts, head, and neck mostly pure white (adult). piscator (p. [204])
- a2. Upper parts uniform deep sooty brown.