32 WILD WINGS 



supported the nest of a white ibis. The air was darkened by 

 whistling wings, while on the water floated gallinules and other 

 interesting birds." Next morning at low tide, he was amazed 

 to see the flats covered with feeding birds in all directions. 

 But now, as we reviewed these same scenes, traversed the 

 beach of shell-sand, searched the groves of red and black 

 mangrove, examined the little interior swamp and the patches 

 of cacti, we found a different state of things. Too convenient 

 a landing-place for " conch " fishermen, there were no longer 

 "acres" of ibis nests. A few pairs of Great White Herons, 

 probably nesting in the mangroves, flew out and alighted 

 on the flats, where there were also Great Blue and Louisiana 

 Herons feeding, as well as some Laughing Gulls, Black-breast 

 Plovers, and other waders. Some Brown Pelicans, Fish 

 Crows, and Turkey Buzzards were flying about, and a pair 

 of Bald Eagles, soaring conspicuously over the island, had 

 their nest, a great pile of sticks six feet high, about fifty 

 feet up a large black mangrove. These eagles, we found, 

 breed commonly on the keys. 



As we walked along the beach, we noticed, a few yards 

 out from shore, a beautiful specimen of the Pharsalia, or 

 " Portuguese Man-o'-War," floating on the water, its trans- 

 parent, jelly-like form flashing in the sunlight, resplendent 

 in its blue, purple, and rosy hues. It was interesting to 

 watch it capsize, roll over, and right itself again. Its tentacles 

 reached down into the water, and around it swam a pretty little 

 fish, keeping it close and constant company. From past 

 experience, I was chary of touching anything of the jelly-fish 

 sort, but one of the party, before I could remonstrate, laid 

 hold of it, and began to drag it ashore, the little fish following. 

 Suddenly he let go of it with an exclamation of pain. The 

 creature had well used its means of defence, and for the next 

 hour my friend's arm was aching severely and was partially 



