1G6 BULLETIN OF THE 



In consequence ot the subtropical character of the climate of Florida 

 certain peculiarities occur in respect to the development of vegetation at 

 the vernal period, and in the time of breeding of the resident birds, that 

 seem in this connection worthy of record. The mildness of the winter 

 climate is such that the verdure of the forests is to a greater or less 

 degree perennial, severe frosts being of rare occurrence. Some of 

 the early flowering trees, such as the maples, ashes, and elms, begin to 

 bloom and to gradually unfold their leaves early in January. Although 

 the forest trees in general put forth their leaves in February, and a few 

 have acquired their full summer dress by the 1st of March, their de- 

 velopment is slow and irregular. I observed peach-trees in flower at 

 the same locality (Jacksonville) in January and in April ; and the flow- 

 ering period of some of the forest trees is nearly as protracted. The 

 development of vegetation is hence as great during a single week in 

 May, in New England, as during any four weeks in February and 

 March, in Florida. 



A similar irregularity is observed in respect to the pairing and breed- 

 ing of the resident birds. Some of the rapacious species, as the fish- 

 hawk and the white-headed eagle, commence incubation in January, and, 

 as I have been informed, occasionally in December ; other members of 

 the same species delay breeding till February or March. The great 

 blue heron and the egretts nest in February, as do also the courlans, 

 several of die hawks, the sandhill crane, the wood-duck and the blue- 

 bird ; the mocking-bird and other resident soug-birds, in March and 

 April. 



In the Northern States the vivacity of the birds during the pairing 

 season is as much greater than it is in Florida as is the rapidity of the 

 development in vegetation. In spring at the North the woods, the 

 fields, and the hedgerows are ever vocal with bird music ; but in Flor- 

 ida no such outburst of song marks the arrival of the vernal season. 

 The brown thrush, the blue-bird, the cat-bird, the towhee, and the 

 various kinds of sparrows that are common in the breeding season to 

 both New England and Florida, seem to lose at the latter locality the 

 vivacity which characterizes them at the North, their attempts at song 

 being listless and feeble. The songs of some are also much abbre- 

 viated, and so differen! from what they are at the North as to be some- 

 times scarcely recognizable as proceeding from the same species. 

 Even the mocking-bird sings far less than in the Middle States, and 



