262 



ROSTRHAMUS SOCIABILIS. 



"•0 back, when I discovered a partly completed nest a short distance from me, that was 

 without doubt owned by one of the birds just killed. It was small, flat in form, composed 

 of sticks somewhat carelessly arranged, and was placed on the top of the grass which sup- 

 ported it and which grew so luxuriantly at this point that it bore me up as I was endeavor- 

 ing to reach the nest. Although disappointed at not obtaining eggs, we were much pleased 

 at having procured three birds, the last of which proved to be a young male. 



The twenty fourth of March found Mr. Ilenshaw and myself once more in the Ever- 

 glades, searching for Kites. We had killed two males and a female, when upon picking up 

 the latter, I found that she was incubating. Before shooting her she had behaved strange- 

 ly, and I was certain that she had eggs near, therefore I commenced a long, systematic 

 search, during which time [ was obliged to exercise great caution to avoid treading upon 

 water moccasins, for they were very abundant, but at last T discovered the nest in a mag- 

 nolia bush. It was placed about four feet from the water, was quite tiat, about a foot in 

 diameter, was composed of sticks quite carelessly arranged, lined with a few dry heads of 

 saw-grass, and contained one egg. Upon dissecting the female we found an egg just ready 

 to be laid, but unspotted, being blue in color throughout. 



Previous to this time we had become acquainted with the Seminoles. The knowl- 

 edge which these people possess of Natural History is surprising, inasmuch as they prob- 

 ably never saw a naturalist, ;uid if they had would not have learned much from him, for 

 they speak but little English. Among those particularly noticeable was Tiger Tail, the 

 son of a renowned chief of the same name who so bravely withstood the whites during the 

 last Seminole wars. Tiger, as we familiarly called him, was a stalwart, finely formed man, 

 about thirty years of age, with a handsome, expressive countenance, and bright, intelli- 

 gent looking eyes. Besides being a man of influence in his tribe lie was a fine hunter, and 

 his wigwam never lacked venison. He not only knew the diffei'ent mammals of the coun- 

 try, but also readily distinguished and named the various species of birds that we showed 

 him. Every one, excepting a few of the smaller Warblers that only winter in Florida, 

 had its Seminole name. Even insects were known by particular appellations, and Tiger 

 has frequently showed me the chrysalis of some butterfly or moth and afterwards pointed 

 out, in my collection, the species that came from it. 



The Everglade Kite was at once recognized as So-for-fun-i-car, and its place of res- 

 idence said to be Pi-i-o-kee. We explained to Tiger that we were anxious to procure 

 So-for-fun-i-car sos-ta-kar (Kites' eggs) and he promised to look out for them. The oth- 

 er Indians, who visited us and exhibited much interest in our pursuits were also made to 

 understand that we wanted eggs. 



After discovering the nest, as narrated, we were slowly returning homewards, when 

 we perceived a Black-necked Stilt standing on the margin of the river, near the rapids. 

 We shot at it and as the report of our guns rang out we heard the friendly whoop of an In- 

 dian. We were accustomed to this cry and immediately answered it, then turning in the 

 direction from whence the sound came we saw a canoe containing the lithe form of a Sem- 

 inole glide out from a neighboring cypress swamp and as he came rapidly toward us we 

 recognized Billy, a son-in-law of the old chief Ellick. When he came near enough for us 



