R' 



A FLORIDA ROOKERY 



44 I ^ OOKERIES" are one of the characteristic features of the l)ird- 

 Hfe of Flori(hi. The term is generally applied there to all 

 gatherings of roosting or nesting birds, whether Pelicans, 

 Cormorants or Ibises, but, because of their commercial importance, one 

 more frequently hears of Heron rookeries. Before the demand for their 

 plumage had brought the aigrette-bearing Herons and Roseate Spoonbill 

 to the verge of extermination, a Florida rookery was one of the most 

 remarkable sights in the bird -life of our country. 



One may still find colonies of Ibises, Cormorants, Pelicans and plume- 

 less Herons, but of those great gatherings of birds which were so abun- 

 dant in the state twenty-five years ago, Cuthbert Rookery appears to be 

 the only one remaining. Here alone will one fintl the birds just named 

 and with them American and Snowy Egrets and Roseate Spoonbills. 

 It seemed therefore especially desirable to make studies there on which 

 to base a representation of this almost vanished phase of our bird-life. 



As may be imagined, Cuthl)ert Rookery has continued to exist only 

 because of its remoteness. It is situated in the heart of the great man- 

 grove swamp which borders the Everglades at the extreme southern part 

 of the state. So shallow is the water off this part of the Florida coast 

 that the sharpie bearing the Museum expedition, although it drew only 

 two and a half feet, could not approach nearer the shore than seven miles, 

 and five hours were retjuired to reach land by pushing and poling in 

 small boats. In four hours more, following narrow passages through 

 the dense mangroves, Cuthbert Lake was reached. The Rookery is on 

 a small islet, about a mile from the entrance to the lake. At this time 

 (March 29, 190S) it was estimated to contain about 35 Roseate Spoon- 

 bills, 15 Snowy Egrets, 350 American Egrets, 50 I>itde Blue Herons, 2000 

 Louisiana Herons, several hiuidred Ibises and a few Cormorants and 

 Water Turkeys. Only the SpoonV)ills, Herons and Egrets were nesting. 



The group is designed to show a portion of the rookery with the birds 

 nesting and roosting in the mangroves, while the background portrays 

 the whole islet at evening when the l)irds are returnine;. 



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