198 Mr. G. C. Taylor on the Birds observed 



ward the whole way. The water was rough, and for an hour or 

 more I was drenched with " spoondrift/' These small slip-keel 

 boats are very wet, but are handy craft in a narrow river. The 

 island to which we went is less than two acres in extent, flat 

 and sandy, and but little above the level of the water. It is 

 covered with a coarse weed which stands about a foot in height, 

 and a few mangroves grow about high-water mark. As soon 

 as I step on shore I kill a pair of Willets [Symphemia semipal- 

 mata) at one shot, and immediately afterwards a pair of Long- 

 billed Curlews, right and left. These are the only Curlews I 

 see ; but the Willets are more plentiful, and all in pairs. There 

 is not the least sign of Pelicans' nests. A few of these birds are 

 on the island where we land, and a hundred or so are on a 

 sand-bank near by. This is strange. Last year, about this time. 

 Dr. Biyant visited this island, in company with George Sheldon, 

 and got plenty of eggs, according to the account of the latter. 

 The island was half covered with their nests, and it has been a 

 breeding-station for them for years past. The island was over- 

 flowed by the tide last summer, and probably they may have left 

 it on this account. There are other islands near, but no birds 

 are upon them ; and they do not usually make their nests on 

 the mainland, where they would be exposed to the depredations 

 of foxes, 'coons, and other animals. It is certainly time for 

 them to be breeding. On Indian River young Pelicans were 

 hatched weeks ago. There are some White Pelicans about here, 

 but I did not see any. 



The water in the lagoon is shallow, never over 7 or 8 feet in 

 depth. I do not visit the other islands. The wind is too high 

 to go any further to windward. There is no appearance of birds 

 upon them, and Pelicans are visible at a great distance. There 

 being nothing to stay for, we hoist the sail and make the run 

 home in three hours. Two or three times we run bump against 

 Saw-fish. It feels as if the boat had run upon a sand-bank; 

 but the splashing of the animal soon indicates what it is. These 

 fish are from 12 to 14 feet long, including the saw. They 

 bask near the surface of the water, and show good sport for a 

 harpoon. When struck they go off' at a great pace, towing the 

 boat after them. I am told that when an Alligator is hooked or 



