HUNTING GROUNDS OF FLORIDA. IO5 



Southeast of Cape Sable is about the only place where flamingoes 

 still exist in Florida in any numbers, and a colon}^ or two of them 

 breed there every year. This is a country very difficult of access, 

 and the birds are very shy and are rarely seen, much less killed. 



On the Bahama Islands, only a short distance from the Florida 

 coast, there are colonies of thousands of flamingoes, and their eggs 

 are gathered in numbers by the inhabitants. It is probable that the 

 Florida contingent is occasionally reenforced from the Bahamas, 

 although the bird was at one time undoubtedly common in Florida. 

 Water-birds are abundant about some of the keys. A few pelicans, 

 cormorants, gulls, and man-o'-war hawks may be seen almost any 

 time, as well as ducks and an occasional heron. 



In some places on the west coast game is very abundant. We 

 hear of the abundance of game in the country about the Steinhatchee 

 River ; but I know but little of it personally and cannot vouch for the 

 truth of the statement. From Cedar Keys southward there is plenty 

 of game, but the country is rather difficult of access. Near such 

 well-known places as Ilomosassa and Tarpon Springs deer and 

 turkeys are numerous in some localities ; but they do not come out of 

 the woods and wait to be killed, and one has to have a guide who 

 knows the country, as well as properly trained dogs, to insure a suc- 

 cessful trip. 



Tampa has grown to the dignity of a city, and naturally large 

 game has been driven back, but tine bags of quail and snipe are 

 made by the guests of the hotel, and guides and dogs are furnished 

 those desiring to indulge in the sport. Arthur Schleman, who is 

 at present located at Tampa, owns several dogs and knows the 

 country about Tampa. 



There are several small rivers near Tampa, and fair shooting may 

 sometimes be had. An occasional deer and turkey still linger. 

 Alligators are also to be found, but, as in other portions of Florida 

 which have become settled, they are not numerous and are very shy. 

 Good fishing may be had within a short distance of Tampa by those 

 who care for it. For Tarpon, one must go farther south to get good 

 sport, and it should be borne in mind that nowhere is the Tarpon 



