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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



nesting was in full swing, and in all stages, from the egg to the nearly 

 full-grown bird. The nests, crude affairs, each made of a handful of 

 small sticks, were everywhere — in every available situation on the bushes 



and small trees, and scattered over 

 the ground in such numbers that 

 one had to walk with care to avoid 

 stepping on them. In some nests 

 were eggs, as has been said, while 

 in others were birds of all sizes, the 

 larger of which scrambled away 

 awkwardly at our approach. With 

 a proper shelter it should be an easy 

 matter to get any number of photo- 

 graphs, at closest range, of these in- 

 teresting birds. Circling overhead 

 was a flock of crows, watching for 

 opportunities to swoop down, in the 

 absence of the parents, and carry 

 off the young birds from the nests. 

 For studying reptiles and birds 

 there is probably no more interest- 

 ing locality in the United States 

 than this subtropical region of cen- 

 tral Florida ; and if the ubiquitous 

 gun sportsman can be kept away, 

 the hunter with the camera may 

 there enjoy his harmless and in- 

 structive sport for many years to come. 



The writer will be glad to furnish information as to equipment, 

 guides, etc., to any camera sportsman who may be interested ; powder- 

 and-shot sportsmen need not apply. 



A. Heron Poring fok his Pic- 

 ture. The Bird Island Rookery, Lake 

 Kissimmee, Florida. 



