Bird-Life on the Everglades 



289 



ally, in high, dry spots, we encountered an Anolis, or a more somberly dressed 

 lizard, resembling one of our northern forms. 



Deer were abundant, but shy. And no wonder. Every man, panther or 

 other predatory beast, is always watching for an opportunity to prey upon 

 them. Those we saw were smaller than the northern species. Panthers were 

 abundant, although we saw none. But at least three times we heard them 

 roaring (the male panther does not scream, he roars, like a miniature lion) 

 in the night. Bears were said to be about, and we heard of one wolf, although 

 wolves have here long been considered to be almost extinct. 



Of all the fauna of the pine barrens, the birds were most in evidence. First 

 in point of abundance was the White Ibis (called 'Curlew' by the crackers). 

 On several occasions we encountered flocks of two or three hundred, although 



A CANOE TRAIL IN THE GLADES 



they were usually seen in much smaller numbers. They seemed to be eminently 

 gregarious, and I do not remember that we often found one alone. I observed 

 that the old birds, in the adult white plumage, usually flocked by themselves; 

 and the immature birds, in the gray garb, also associated with others of their 

 own kind. Like everything else that is edible in Florida, they are shot by 

 every passing person. 



Let me say here that the cracker loves to shoot at every thing that li^■es, — 

 and he usually hits it, too, by the way. He does this merely to improve his 

 aim, or to "see something drop." Not so the Seminole. He would far rather 

 let well enough alone, unless he is hungry. I did not see an Indian kill any- 

 thing wantonly, of his own initiative. One rebuked me for killing some toads, 

 which croaked so loudly that I could not sleep. "Indian think so holowakus 

 (no good) flogs (frogs) killin. Big Man up Above mad ojus (much)." 



