Nari{ati\I': of Bahama Exi'icdition. 119 



not represented by many species. The man-o"-\var bird, the 

 Ijooby gannet, the brown pehcan, the noddy tern, the bridled 

 tern and least tern were about all that we saw. The absence 

 of wading birds was a surprise, as th^-e seemed to be excel- 

 lent feeding for them on the shallows around the islets \\here 

 small crustaceans were particularly abundant. 



No reptiles were seen except turtles. The small and acti\'e 

 lizards so numerous at other places visited during our cruise 

 were not encountered here. Two lo<;frerhead turtles were 

 "turned "one evening on Loggerhead Key. The helplesness 

 of these animals when placed on their backs is pathetic and 

 yet ludicrous. We were astonished at the force with which they 

 throw sand with their front flippers. It seemed, moreover, as 

 if they had acquired considerable accuracy of aim, throwing 

 the sand with stinging force in the faces of those incautious 

 mortals who ventured too near the vanquished yet belligerent 

 loggerheads. 



Something over twenty species of fish were collected during 

 our stay at the Tortugas, a much larger number than we 

 secured at any other station. There being no ichthyologist in 

 our party, no special pains were taken to secure a complete 

 series of hsh, although all that were caught were carefully pre- 

 served. No one. however, could fail to be attracted by the 

 many brilliantlv colored fishes, floating as if suspended in air, 

 in the wonderfully clear waters around the fumicyatinfj dock. 

 Their vivid hues rival in many instances those of the gaudiest 

 birds, and it was hard for some of us to keep from spending 

 too much time lazily stretched out on the shady wharf, and 

 watching the procession of gorgeous creatures in the still, cool 

 \vaters below. 



A number of species were caught with hook and line, but 

 more, perhaps, were taken in the dredge and meshes of the 

 tangles while we \vere dredging in the channel. Among the 

 species secured were the following :^ A •• pipe-fish " Siphosfoiiia 



iThe following partial identifications were made by the writer, who is 

 far from being an ichthyologist. It is hoped, however, that the list will 

 give a general idea of the facies of the collection, although the species are 

 in most cases not identified. 



