The Crocodilians 



for purposes of diversion that this inoffensive species is so gen- 

 erally slaughtered. The commercial value of the hide has been 

 an important factor in the thinning of its numbers. Dr. Hugh 

 M. Smith, says:* "It is estimated that 2,500,000 were killed in 

 Florida between 1880 and 1894. Thus does the destruction 

 go on. Moreover, the female alligator constructs a nest that 

 forms a prominent object and renders the eggs at the mercy 

 of vandals. The eggs are eaten in many portions of the South 

 and the search for nests at the proper season, furnishes profitable 

 employment for many persons, as each nest contains a large 

 number of eggs. Young alligators, that have succeeded in mak- 

 ing their entry to the world, frequent the shallow waters to avoid 

 falling prey to large fish and turtles. In such places they are 

 easily captured. They are sold to curio dealers, thence to tour- 

 ists from the North who carry them away to endure a slow death 

 from starvation. 



From this relentless wave of extermination, the alligator 

 has retreated into the more secluded swamps and bayous. In 

 an almost inaccessible, muddy lake, about forty miles up, and 

 inland a mile from the Savannah River, the writer discovered 

 several large alligators. In his opinion these reptiles were liv- 

 ing a peaceful life of seclusion and he remarked as much to the 

 guide. Such proved not to be the case. The guide explained 

 that some gentlemen who spent a number of weeks each year 

 in hunting deer through the region had "spotted" the place 

 and paid it repeated visits in an effort to "get a shot at a 'gator." 

 They had killed three large ones and, as a memento of the sport, 

 one of them had removed a section of the hide from the largest 

 animal killed, which was about eight feet long. The guide 

 further explained that the section of skin removed from the 

 big brute was large enough to make into a lady s pocket-book. 

 This little keepsake for the wife of one of the sportsmen possibly 

 forms an interesting object for recalling reminiscences to the 

 minds of the worthy hunters. With wanton slaughter con- 

 tinuing at this rate, the reader may calculate how long the alli- 

 gator will continue to exist. 



In its native state the alligator is a very voracious creature, 

 though it evinces great timidity toward man. However, when 

 cornered it fights with great energy. This is the case if it is 



* Bulletin, U. S. Fish Commission, XI, 1891, p. 343. 



87 



