is Gbe Warbler 



anise {Illicium religiosum), myrtles, oleanders, gardenias, the dense sub- 

 tropical cypresses [Cupressus torulosa, C. sempermrens, C. K?iightiana), camel- 

 lias and cleyeras and many others. Climbers were used largely, native 

 as well as exotic. Berry-bearing shrubs, such as Raphiolepis Indica, Myrica 

 rubra, and particularly the silver shrubs {Elceagnus macrophylla, E. reflexa 

 and E. pungens) were largely planted. 



The entire place is at present surrounded by orange groves and bushy 

 woodlands, the original pine forests having almost entirely disappeared. 

 From my veranda I see the mirroring waters of Lake Audubon glimmering 

 through the vistas of palms, magnolias and bamboos. Near the lake's edge 

 in the rich moist soil large clumps of heliconias, alpinias, curcumas, thalias, 

 crinums and amaryllis are growing vigorously. The garland flower {Hedy- 

 chium gardnerianum) attains here an enormous size and the butterfly lily 

 (//. coronarium) is almost constantly in flower, filling the air with its strong 

 and delicious perfume. Immense clumps of colocasias, alocasias and xantho- 

 soinas add a decidedly tropical appearance to the scene. But every and all 

 plants are outrivalled by the undescribable splendor and magnificence of the 

 fancy caladiuins of which there are over four hundred varieties along the 

 water's edge. No pen and no pencil can convey an adequate idea of the bright 

 and immensely varied hues of these wonderful plants. They far surpass 

 all our imaginative power and we scarcely can believe that such a beauty 

 of form and coloration is possible. These plants in connection with the 

 palms and bamboos and magnolias form idyllic scenes — they are poetical in 

 the highest degree and they always arouse our enthusiasm. 



To the bird-lover the months of September and October are very inter- 

 esting, because this is the migration time of almost all the Warblers, and 

 the majority of the winter residents, among them many familiar to us from 

 our boyhood days arrive now. At no other time of the year are they so 

 abundant. At times the garden is literally swarming with them, many 

 spending only a few days while others delight us with their company for 

 weeks and months. They feel perfectly safe among the dense cypresses, ce- 

 dars, magnolias and other evergreens and there is a constant chasing and 

 chirping among the branches. 



In the early morning hours while admiring my caladiums or working 

 among them a few Little White Herons, Little Blue Herons and Little 

 Green Herons wade fearlessly around in the water scarcely a few rods dis- 

 tant, and the ever-present Pied-billed Grebe — here invariably called " Hell- 

 Diver," swims among the water lilies and sedges. I have found as many 

 as four and five nests in this lake which are built of saw-grass, sedges and 

 other water plants and which float around in the water. As usual the Snake- 

 bird or Anhinga occupies its place on the edge of the boat landing where it 

 sits for hours motionless, spreading out its wings and holding them in a 



