130 Mr. G. C. Taylor on Birds observed 



have to be used to prevent us going upon the banks. Next 

 morning I see PeHcans in abundance, a sure sign that I have at 

 last reached warmer latitudes. The country is of the same marshy 

 nature until we reach Fernandina, where we push out into the 

 open sea, and, two or three hours before sunset, enter the St. 

 John's River. Here Pelicans and various kinds of Wild Ducks 

 are numerous. The latter are passing overhead, but at so great 

 a height that I cannot distinguish the species. I also see Bald 

 Eagles and several species of Ardeidce. The steamer remains 

 through the night at Jacksonville, and early next morning con- 

 tinues her voyage. Here the water is fresh, and there are no 

 Pelicans. The banks of the river are low and densely covered 

 with wood, of which Pine forms the principal part. All the trees 

 are covered with long pendent moss, which gives them a highly 

 picturesque appearance; but the river is too wide for scenic 

 effect, and the steamer keeps in mid-channel. 



I disembark at a small place called Orange Hills, on the 

 east bank of the river, a few miles below Pilatka. Here I remain 

 a few days to wait for the steamer which is to take me to Enter- 

 prise, and which only goes once a week. The house in which I 

 stay is situated in a grove of orange-trees ; hence the name. The 

 trees are in full bearing, and the ground is covered with fruit. 

 The climate is so mild that bananas and other tropical fruits will 

 ripen. Strawberries are now plentiful, and have been so for the 

 last month. Green peas and salad are also in season. I take 

 my gun and go out to look for birds. I see Barred Owls, Crows, 

 Robins, Blue Birds, Cardinal Grosbeaks, Ground Doves, Crow- 

 Blackbirds, Meadow Larks, Kddeer Plovers, Kingfishers, Eagles, 

 and various kinds of Hawks. Humming-birds are always to be 

 met with about the flowers in front of the house. The orange- 

 trees are never without Blue Jays and Common Doves. Quails are 

 plentiful in the pine-woods where the trees have been thinned 

 out and the grass and the scrub palmetto are able to grow. 



But Mocking-birds are the most abundant of all. Florida 

 might well be called the " Mocking-bird State." These birds are 

 very destructive to fruit, especially grapes. I am told of a man 

 living at St. Augustine who, during one summer, killed eleven 

 hundred, and buried them at the roots of his grape vines. On 



