194 PROC. ENT. soc. WASH., VOL. 21, NO. 8, NOV., 1919 



By the expedient of shooting the flies while hovering, the evi- 

 dence has been increased that the main swarm at dawn consists 

 of males only and that the females are attracted to these swarm- 

 ing males for mating, as in case of certain mosquitoes. These 

 flights are probably not the result of concerted action but rather 

 a consequence of imitation or desire to follow others. 



With regard to our previous statement that at certain times 

 while hovering T. americanus reverses and hovers upside down 

 this has not yet been definitely proven or disproven. It is 

 very difficult to shoot the flies. 



It must not be concluded from the foregoing notes that mos- 

 quitoes and gadflies at Paradise Key are a pest at this beautiful 

 Everglade hammock throughout the entire year. These insects 

 are not troublesome during the winter months. In place of the 

 hum of blood-thirsty mosquitoes, there is at dusk the hum of 

 beautiful moths (Sphingidae) which hover over wild purple ver- 

 bena blossoms. At night, near West Lake, mosquitoes bother 

 while sleeping outdoors (Feb. 25) but these can not be com- 

 pared with the later hordes which occur at Paradise Key and the 

 offshore reefs. On the open, sawgrass prairies, mosquitoes are 

 not a pest. 



Large portions of the Lower Everglades should be set aside as 

 a federal preserve. Unless this is done, carelessly, or wantonly 

 set forest fires, hurricanes following tree cuttings and trespass 

 will ruin the wildness and natural beauty of this region. Hunt- 

 ing must be prohibited to save the remaining wild bird life, once 

 so wonderful. This will be especially necessary after Ingraham 

 Highway from Miami to Cape Sable has been completed. Many 

 interesting water birds are still plentiful. 



Anyone who, approaching the edge of Royal Palm Hammock 

 (Paradise Key), has seen these majestic, feathery palms -50 to 

 130 feet high overtopping the other hammock trees, in silhou- 

 ette against a sky tinted by dawn or at dusk *will desire to pre- 

 serve this never-to-be-forgotten sight (Plate 17) for future gen- 

 erations. 



Royal Palm Hammock (Paradise Key) is at present a State 

 Park under supervision of the Florida Federation of Women's 

 Clubs. This organization is to be commended on its successful 

 efforts in conservation. However, it lacks funds and should 

 have further assistance from the state or from the federal gov- 

 ernment. 



