BIRDS OF CUBA 59 



not regularly in flocks, but occasionally several families will unite for 

 aerial manoeuvers, when they fly in characteristic goose-like formation. 



They are shy and have fine power of vision, but still they are killed, 

 because they persist in returning to favorite feeding grounds, which often 

 are fresh burns. An area of grass land may be burned over and a hide made, 

 and before long Cranes will appear, to eat the scorched reptiles and burned 

 insects, and to dig with their bills for succulent roots and beetle larvae 

 in the soil now denuded of matted grass. 



In Florida the Crane always nests on a little island of its own building 

 in needle-grass ponds, but in Cuba Gundlach reports them hiding their 

 nest under some bush or shady tussock of high, rank grass. They are not 

 often seen about water in Cuba, whereas in Florida they occur in the 

 flatwood ponds as often as in the open, piney prairies. 



In the Isle of Pines Cranes are not uncommon, and we have secured 

 specimens there. They often are kept as pets and become very tame. 

 Cackling loudly whenever strangers approach, — and their voices can be 

 heard an incredible distance, — they make excellent watch-dogs. 



82. Larus argentatus argentatus Pontoppidan. 

 Herring Gull; Gallego. 



Herring Gulls are very rare off the Cuban coast, which is remarkable, 

 as they often follow ships to Florida and in winter are by no means 

 uncommon in Key West harbor. I have no Cuban records, and Gundlach 

 in over fifty years' residence gleaned but four. A young bird was obtained 

 by Lambeye in the Havana market and, years later, an adult male was pro- 

 cured there by Gundlach himself. Later he killed one in Matanzas Bay, 

 and one from a boat near Cardenas. 



83. Larus atricilla Linne. 

 Laughing Gull; Gallego. 



The Laughing Gull is common, widespread, and reported by Gundlach 

 to breed on some of the cays and beaches along the coast. I never have 

 seen one of these breeding colonies, but I have seen numbers of the birds. 



