32 
WILD WINGS 
supported the nest of a white ibis. The air was darkened by 
whistling wings, while on the water floated gallinules and other 
interesting birds.” Next morning at low tide, he was amazed 
to see the flats covered with feeding birds in all directions. 
But now, as we reviewed these same scenes, traversed the 
beach of shell-sand, searched the groves of red and black 
mangrove, examined the little interior swamp and the patches 
of cacti, we found a different state of things. Too convenient 
a landing-place for “conch” fishermen, there were no longer 
“acres” of ibis nests. A few pairs of Great White Herons, 
probably nesting in the mangroves, flew out and alighted 
on the flats, where there were also Great Blue and Louisiana 
Herons feeding, as well as some Laughing Gulls, Black-breast 
Plovers, and other waders. Some Brown Pelicans, Fish 
Crows, and Turkey Buzzards were flying about, and a pair 
of Bald Eagles, soaring consjoicuously over the island, had 
their nest, a great pile of sticks six feet high, about fifty 
feet up a large black mangrove. These eagles, we found, 
breed commonly on the keys. 
As we walked along the beach, we noticed, a few yards 
out from shore, a beautiful specimen of the Pharsalia, or 
“ Portuguese Man-o’-War,” floating on the water, its trans¬ 
parent, jelly-like form flashing in the sunlight, resplendent 
in its blue, purple, and rosy hues. It was interesting to 
watch it capsize, roll over, and right itself again. Its tentacles 
reached down into the water, and around it swam a prettv little 
fish, keeping it close and constant company. From past 
experience, I was chary of touching anything of the jelly-fish 
sort, but one of the party, before I could remonstrate, laid 
hold of it, and began to drag it ashore, the little fish following. 
Suddenly he let go of it with an exclamation of pain. The 
creature had well used its means of defence, and for the next 
hour my friend’s arm was aching severely and was partially 
