62



On some Bahama Birds.



generally allow one to get within easy distance, but the larger

the flock the more difficult it is to approach them.


Another species to be found in similar situations is the

Tree or Whistling Duck (De?idrocyg?ia atborea ), which, from its

size and the length of its legs, more resembles a small goose. It

is a very dull-coloured bird, of which the sexes are alike, and is

brown on the back and light below, with dark markings on the

flanks ; it is fairly numerous, though occurring in much smaller

flocks than the last species ; on the wing the flight is excessively

heavy and seldom long sustained.


The only other species to which I need, call attention is the

Scaup (Fuligula americanaj, a bird very numerous on the

lagoons in close proximity to the open sea. As with us in

England, it is much more of a sea-loving bird than either of the

foregoing, and its number on the lagoons is always greatly

augmented after a storm. It is shy and wary, and, from its

habit of keeping to open places, very difficult to approach, and

when shot the flesh is too strong to be eatable.


When wandering through the mud after duck, several other

kinds of birds are met with, which perhaps deserve passing

mention. The American Coot, a bird closely resembling our

well-known species, is abundant on many of the lagoons, from

which they never seem to wander during the winter ; but in

spring the majority migrate northwards, although a few remain

to breed. Another, but scarcer bird, is the Florida Gallinule

(Gallimcla galeataj, which, except in being slightly larger, is

the counterpart of our Moor-Hens. There are also many

Rails, but owing to their skulking habits they are seldom seen.

These birds have, however, distinct tracks or roadways through

the mud, and, although their footmarks frequently diverge as a

single bird turns aside, yet the main roads are obviously used by

many individuals.



(To be continued ).



