3 o8 



Scott on Birds at the Dry Tortus^as. [October 



food to their young. This I can readily believe, as such is their habit 

 about Brown Pelican and Cormorant rookeries at like seasons. At the 

 time referred to, I am told, they roost in great numbers on East Key. 



12. Ardea wardi. Ward's Heron. — A large Blue Heron, which was 

 presumably this species, was observed on a single occasion, feeding on 

 the beach of Bird Key. 



13. Ardea ccerulea. Little Blue Heron. — A number of represen- 

 tatives of this species was observed on Garden Key. Individuals in both 

 phases of plumage were taken. It was novel to see the birds adapt them- 

 selves to new conditions. I frequently saw this species and Ardea 

 virescens alight in the embrasures of the fort, and to escape pursuit they 

 would, instead of flying over the walls of the fort, dodge into one cannon 

 port and out of another, with great success, easily avoiding any one, and 

 becoming quickly lost to the hunter in the mazes and corridors at differ- 

 ent levels. 



14. Ardea virescens. Green Heron. — Plentiful on Garden Key 

 during my stay, and Dr. Goodman collected some ten or fifteen individuals 

 in the three weeks succeeding my departure. I have never seen Green 

 Herons in the same abundance that I found them here. There were 

 always several fishing in the moat outside of the walls of the fort, and I 

 rarely passed through the little buttonwood grove inside of the fort 

 without disturbing one or two roosting in these trees. I do not think 

 that this or any other kind of Heron breeds in this group of islands, and 

 regard all representatives of the family found here as nomadic. Their 

 numbers generally increased just before the beginning of strong northerly 

 winds. 



15. Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. Black-crowned Night Heron. 

 — Dr. Goodman sent me a single representative of this species which he 

 procured late in April. 



16. Nycticorax violaceus. Yellow-crowned Night Heron. — 

 During the time spent at the Tortugas five representatives of this Heron 

 were obtained. All were adult, and in fine, unworn plumage. In the 

 vicinity of Key West the low mangrove keys seem to be particularly 

 adapted to the wants of the Yellow-crowned Night Heron, and the birds 

 are abundant. I found them breeding, and with young just hatched, as 

 early as March 5.- 



17. Gallinula galeata. Florida Gallinule. — I found on Middle Key 

 a mummied specimen of this bird. No others were met with. 



18. Tringa minutilla. Least Sandpiper. — A single one taken, and 

 no others observed. Dr. Goodman took one on April 25. 



19. Calidris arenaria. Sanderling. — Two small flocks were seen 

 frequently during my stay and some seven or eight secured. These were 

 the commonest shore birds. 



20. Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper. — I obtained a single 

 individual during the last day or two of my stay. Dr. Goodman found 

 them to be a quite coirunon bird late in April and early in May, and he 

 sent me a large series which he had collected at that time. 



