-j.2 Brewster on Florida Birds. 



dead trunks rang through the woods, but the only note which I 

 heard them utter was a comparatively feeble hcec that reminded 

 me of the usual cry of the little Downy. Their great size and 

 striking coloring harmonized well with the semi-tropical sur- 

 roundings. Shortly afterwards a troop of Carolina Parroquets 

 ( Conurus carolinensis) came darting through the trees, each 

 individual screaming as if determined to outdo his neighbor. Their 

 pointed wings and long tails gave them a striking resemblance to 

 VVihl Pigeons, and their flight was scarcely less swift. The sound 

 of their clamor reached us long after they were lost to sight. 



Again the scene changed. The river broadened and the forest 

 line retreated a little, leaving an expanse of low growth with 

 occasional open spaces between. We were approaching the 

 bb prairies" of the Wekiva, as the settlers term the peculiar 

 flooded meadows that form so marked a feature of this in common 

 with most Florida rivers. With the altered surroundings were 

 introduced two birds not previously seen, the Everglade Kite and 

 the Purple Gallinule. Both were apparently rare but several other 

 species before uncommon now became very numerous. Of the 

 latter class was the Florida Courlan (Aramits pictus [Batr.] 

 Cones) which from its unique and interesting habits deserves 

 something more than a passing notice. They were especially 

 abundant about the bayous that extended back from the main 

 river and into one of these I would now take the reader. 



We entered a narrow channel that wound among the willows 

 until it apparently came to an abrupt end. But catching the 

 gleam of water beyond we parted the tangled vines that formed 

 a sort of natural curtain over the outlet and pushed our way 

 through. Before us lay a nearly circular expanse of open water 

 with a narrow margin of sedge and in the centre a floating island, 

 composed entirely of "bonnets," as the immense leaves of the 

 southern water-lily are called. Thickets skirted the shore, with 

 here and there a stray palmetto, while at the further extremity 

 stood a group of fine cypresses. A number of Coots tyFulica 

 americand) were collected around the lily-island, some of them 

 standing on the broad leaves, others paddling idly about or chasing 

 one another. There were a few Herons scattered along in the 

 sedge and an Osprey quietly sat on her nest near at hand. 



But if our presence was a matter of indifference to the birds just 

 mentioned we certainly were not ignored by the vigilant Courlans. 



