284 TROPICAL WILD LIFE IN BRITISH GUIANA 



i'hot '>,/ w. n. 



FIG.'95. TUBFUL OF NEWLY-HATCHED ALLIGATORS 



to hatch. The little 'gators are about eight inches long, a 

 whole inch of which is gained within a few hours after break- 

 ing the shell. 



Three weeks before actual laying commences, the female 

 alligator gathers together a pile of water-soaked or decayed 

 vegetation, pulling it up and carrying it in her mouth to 

 some secluded spot on the bank of a trench or creek. Here 

 she piles it and mats it down rather firmly in a rough heap 

 about two feet in height. When alligators have been much 

 bothered or persecuted, they will often select a pegass trench 

 and make their nest on the floating veg'etation in the center, 

 out of the reach of any passing native. 



When several weeks have passed, she tears the nest open 



