INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, PHILADELPHIA. 25 



occasion, on the borders of Lake Okeechobee, we heard the cry of a 

 large cat, probably the panther. The birds of the forest were not very 

 numerous either, and they appeared to be restricted to a comparatively 

 small number of distinct types red-headed woodpecker, cardinal gros- 

 beak, scarlet tanager, a number of warblers, etc. We heard the cackle of 

 the wild turkey on one or two occasions, and once a specimen of this not 

 very rare bird helped to grace our larder. In the open meadow or " prairie " 

 country immediately above Fort Thompson we observed three flocks, of 

 six or eight individuals each, of sand-hill cranes (Grits pratensis), whose 

 graceful outlines presented very pleasing objects in relief to the sombre 

 green background. Their utter disregard for our presence and apparent 

 ignorance of any possible injury, even during the firing of a gun, permitted 

 of an easy approach to within short range, but we failed to secure speci- 

 mens. The only response to our discharge was an aerial saltation of 

 about three feet, followed by a peaceful return to a disturbed, and 

 apparently interminable, meal. From this point inland, the marsh lands, 

 with their scattered " hammaks " of hard-wood, and everglades literally 

 teem with wild-fowl of all descriptions. 



We paid but little'attention to fishing on the Caloosahatchie, and are 

 therefore not prepared to say much concerning the ichthyic fauna of that 

 river. It is true that we observed, all in all, but a very insignificant 

 number of fishes, but there is reason to believe that the river is fairly well 

 stocked with these animals. The bass and cat-fish are reported to be 

 fished quite extensively, and we caught several specimens of a bream and 

 sun-fish. The alligator is still fairly abundant in some parts of the stream, 

 especially towards its upper course, but its early destruction is threatened 

 through the endless pursuit of the hide-hunters, whose compensation is 

 about 50 cents for the hide of an animal exceeding five feet in length. 

 The expense of skinning and salting is included in this sum, which, 

 therefore, allows but little margin for profit, and necessitates an appalling 

 destruction of the animal in order to secure the hunter against loss. None 

 of the animals that we saw in the river were of large size, and the greater 

 number probably did not exceed six feet in length. 



Owing to the great number of snags in the channel, and the fear of 

 losing our dredge, we were unable to make any systematic observations 

 respecting the invertebrate fauna of the stream ; the dark color of the 

 water, moreover, resulting from an infusion of palmetto roots and stocks, 

 limited the range of vision to a very moderate depth, so that we were 

 doubly handicapped. Still, as far as could be ascertained, there appears 

 to be a decided deficiency in this lower fauna. Indeed, almost the only 

 molluscan form that we obtaine'd were a species of Unio, a Neritina (N. 

 rectivata), a Planorbis (P. trivolvis), and an Ampullaria (A. depressd). Other 

 species, doubtless, exist, and possibly even in considerable quantity, 



