THE OOLOGIST. 



47 



several nests during 1889. Nests A\ere 

 made of grass, in the shape of a eocoa- 

 nut. Eggs six in nunilier, pure white. 



51. ( Cistothorus palustris) Long-billed 

 Marsh Wren. Abundant. Breeds in 

 the dry grass in sloughs, 



52. {Merula vtigrdtoria) American 

 Robin. Very eomnion. 



Would like to see lists from other 

 counties of Iowa. 



John V. Crone, 

 Buena Vista Co., Iowa. 



A Day in the Woods of Florida. 



On the banks of the Indian River 

 there is a field of study and delight for 

 the Naturalist, although perhaps tinc- 

 tured Avith some little danger, in 

 ""Searching for the variety of natural 

 products of this semi-tropical country 

 during the spring months. The deep 

 gloomy forests of cypresses and pines, 

 interpersed with tracts of live oaks, 

 maples, varieties of palms and flower- 

 ing vines in full blossom, the open 

 tracts of country and vast swamps, 

 penetrated by the lagcjons and creeks 

 of the Indian River, furnish an abund- 

 ant variety of specimens for the Ornith- 

 ologist, Entomologist and Botanist. 

 Venomous serpents present the only 

 danger. The Water Moccasin (2'oxico- 

 phia pLscivorus) is the most abundant, 

 inhabiting the low, swampj' district, 

 the Land Moccasin (Ancistrodon contor- 

 trix) or Copperhead l)eing less numer- 

 ous, found on the dry lands and fiekls, 

 and that terrible reptile, the Diamond 

 Rattlesnake ( Crotalus adamantens) 

 which attains the length of over nine 

 feet with a diameter of five inches and 

 more, is liable to be encountered in any 

 locality excejit the most swampy tracts 

 where the Water Moccasin is found. 

 These serpents and the Harlequin snake 

 found on the higher lands are the only 

 ones to be viewed with dread. The 

 Rattlesnake is the least common of the 

 Crotnlida'. The Moccasin is quite 



almndant and equally to be dreaded. 

 With the exception of these reptiles to- 

 gether with centipedes, some largi^ 

 spiders and an occasional scorpion, 

 there are no other drawl)acks to th»^ 

 field naturalist and collector. The tim- 

 id may exclaim that these were surely 

 enough drawbacks and should serve to 

 dampen the ardor of the Naturalist, 

 but there are always dangers and ol>- 

 stacles to the student of Nature which 

 increase to a great extent in more trop- 

 ical countries, where one has to be on 

 almost constant guard against the larg- 

 er beasts of prey, enormous serpents, 

 the Boas and Pythons as well as the 

 smaller venomous snakes, and innum- 

 erable swarms of spiders, scorpions 

 and centipedes and other pests which 

 deter all but the most enthusiastic nat- 

 uralist from thorough investigation. 

 Florida is comparatively exempt from 

 dangerous animals. An occasional 

 Panther or Bear may rarely be encount- 

 ered in the dense forests, but which ai'e 

 of a more cowardly disposition than 

 otherwise, seldom attacking man unless 

 wounded and at bay. All danger is for- 

 gotten by the naturalist eager in pui-- 

 suit of some rare object. I remember 

 encountering a large moccasin while 

 threading my way through a villainous 

 swamp in search of the beautiful Hood- 

 ed Warbler {Sylvia initratus) which 

 frequents low, swampy w'oods. The 

 serpent was coiled and ready to strike 

 when I noticed it. I hastily retreated a 

 few paces and shot it. I decided to 

 retrac-e my steps and not penetrate 

 fai-ther into the morass when my mind 

 was diverted by a few tinkling notes. 

 Looking in the direction from which 

 they proceeded I saAV the object of my 

 search flitting among the l»ushes, antV 

 forgetting my decision to turn back, 

 and intent on securing the warbler, I 

 started in pursuit. The bird leil me a 

 long chase, and eventually disappeared 

 for good and I was left a quarter of iv 

 mile farther in ihe swamp, vexed and 



