A GREAT BLUE HERON. 97 



some cove or sheltered position where, for a minute 

 or two, he had been hidden from view, and, extending 

 his long legs straight out behind him to serve as a rud- 

 der in lieu of his short tail, he would flap his way 

 onward for one hundred and fifty yards or more, 

 then drop down behind a bunch of reeds. There he 

 would stand motionless, with outstretched neck, 

 watching and waiting for our approach, when again 

 he would be up and away. The small green heron, 

 Ardca virescens L., and the kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon 

 L., were also seen at intervals along our way. Just 

 before reaching the Halifax the boat, though draw- 

 ing but twenty-six inches, grounded in the shallow 

 water, and had to be worked off by shifting the posi- 

 tion of the passengers and then using a pole. If 

 necessary, we could have easily waded to the shore. 



The Tomoka is a characteristic representative of 

 the smaller Floridian streams; with its deep, dark, 

 slowly flowing water; palmettos, pines and cypresses 

 festooned with hanging moss, leaning far out over its 

 depths ; shining mullet leaping at intervals above its 

 surface; alligators and turtles basking on its banks or 

 on half submerged logs ; and negroes humming with 

 peculiar nasal twang their plaintive melodies, while 

 rowing and fishing in its waters. 



March 25, 1899. Once more, O my pine tree, lift- 

 ing thy head so proudly above thy surroundings 

 once more I come to thee, rest my head, weary with 

 pain, against thy friendly trunk and give way to rev- 



