117 



the carnivorous and anthophagous insects being comparatively- 

 few. The Buprestidx, of which I recognized no less than ten 

 species, are the pine boring insects, and small as they are, 

 they form a most formidable enemy to the luxuriance of the 

 pine. The insidious yet certain work of destruction the myr- 

 iads of these insects carry on, can only be appreciated when we 

 consider that tracts of pines miles in length, and the most stal- 

 wart trees, that never have even noticed winds or currents, gra- 

 dually bend before them. On some of the fallen trees, I counted 

 the holes of the insects' exit, to the number of one hundred 

 or more, within the space of a square foot. By several of 

 them boring for a year or two, the tree is so weakened that 

 the next strong wind breaks it off, sometimes five, and sometimes 

 fifty feet from the ground ; or the tree may die in a standing 

 position. 



There is another insect which from its great numbers deserves 

 mention, namely, the Ant-lion, (Mijrmeleon,) which from the 

 fineness of the sand in many places entraps its prey with ease. 



Such is a cursory representation of the Fauna of this district, 

 giving the following numbers : — Mammalia, 17 ; Birds, 43 : 

 Reptiles, (mentioned in an account given by Mr. H. R. Storer,) 40. 



Of both Birds and Reptiles, many more may be found to reside 

 here for a little while, but in giving this list, I believe I include 

 nearly all which make this their permanent habitat. 



A few words should Ije said on the conformability of indivi- 

 duals of the Fauna to each other and to the Flora of the locality, 

 beside alluding to such habits of some of them as I have noticed. 



The Turkey Buzzard is constantly seen flying about seeking 

 dead animal matter. I suppose the question as to whether it dis- 

 covers its food by sight or smell, has for some time been settled 

 in favor of sight. I had many opportunities to try their skill, of 

 which I took advantage. If a dead dog were dragged into the 

 woods and carefully covered up with pine boughs, it might re- 

 main there any length of time untouched ; but if fully exposed, it 

 would remain but a few hours. And to show how acute their 

 sight is, I need only say that a snake, hung upon a twig, will be 

 removed in less than twenty-four hours. 



^he Blue Bird has three broods in a season, beginning to nest 

 aWarly as February. It need spend no time in seeking out a 



