18 



in its habits than the Great Bhie TTeron as the hntter is than the 

 majority of otlier species. Audubon says that they cannot be 

 killed with anything smaller than buckshot ; I found no ditficulty 

 in killing them with small shot, and should say, that like all other 

 herons, they are easily killed if within shot. They are by far 

 the wildest birds of the genus that I am acquainted with. I think 

 they must commence laying by the first of February, if not 

 sooner, as many of the young were nearly fledged by the 20th of 

 April, and at this time, which was the date of my arrival at the 

 keys, none were less than half grown, and all older than the 

 young of the Great Blue Heron. At Indian River I have seen 

 the young of the latter several days old by the 1st of March. 

 Though I cannot speak from j^ersonal observation, as I have 

 never been in Florida before the spring months, I am inclined to 

 think that, from its almost tropical climate, the period of repro- 

 duction of many birds is not so narrowly limited as in more tem- 

 perate climates. I have been told by many of the inhabitants 

 that the Cormorants and Pelicans breed all through the year. 

 I have certainly seen on the same day nests just built and birds 

 fully fledged. At a place called Stirrup Bight, in the keys, the 

 young Cormorants were of all sizes and ages on the 22d of April. 

 The Pelicans I do not think commence breeding quite as early, 

 though I have seen young by the 1st of March ; still this was an 

 uncommon circumstance, and few of the young had made their 

 appearance before the middle of April. 



Pelecanus Americanns. On the sand bars at the mouth of the 

 St. Johns, White Pelicans can be seen during the winter and early 

 s])ring months by hundreds ; they do not associate at all with the 

 lirown Pelicans. I have never seen them north or south of the 

 St. Johns, though I have been told that there is a certain island 

 in the Musquito Lagoon where they could be found. Why they 

 should be found so very abundantly in a single locality, while 

 apparently there are many others quite as suitable to their habits, 

 and where they would certainly be much less liable to be disturbed, 

 is quite strange. 



Pelecanus fiiscus. The Brown Pelican is seen during the 

 warm months in great numbers around every inlet and bay south 

 of St. Augustine. When flying in long lines, as they generally 

 do. they present a singular appearance, and seem to be playing 



