1 84 CLARKE. [Vol. V. 



swamps, which have been frequently visited of late years by 

 men in search of the beautiful plumage of the egrets and 

 other birds, the alligators still occur in large numbers. This is 

 especially true at the great breeding places of the birds known 

 as "rookeries." I have the most reliable information from 

 college collectors, that the waters contain so many alligators, 

 that when a bird is shot or wounded and falls into the water, 

 even near to the boat, the collector generally loses, and one of 

 the many alligators gets, the bird before the light boat can 

 reach it. 



Among the oldest accounts of the alligator, that of Bartram 

 (4), published in 1791, is especially interesting. While written 

 with such spirit and enthusiasm as to carry the author beyond 

 the limits of simple and accurate statement, it contains much 

 that is undoubtedly correct concerning the alligators in Florida 

 one hundred years ago. This is his description of a battle 

 between two alligators, of which he was an eye-witness : " Be- 

 hold him rushing forth from the flags and reeds. His enormous 

 body swells. His plaited tail, brandished high, floats upon the 

 lake. The waters like a cataract descend from his opening 

 jaws. Clouds of smoke issue from his dilated nostrils. The 

 earth trembles with his thunder. When immediately from the 

 opposite coast of the lagoon emerges from the deep his rival 

 champion. They suddenly dart upon each other. The boiling 

 surface of the lake marks their rapid course, and a terrific con- 

 flict commences. They now sink to the bottom, folded together 

 in horrid wreaths. The water becomes thick and discolored. 

 Again they rise ; their jaws clap together, re-echoing through 

 the deep surrounding forests. Again they sink, when the con- 

 test ends at the muddy bottom of the lake, and the vanquished 

 makes a hazardous escape, hiding himself in the muddy, turbu- 

 lent waters and sedge on a distant shore." 



Bartram writes as follows of their boldness in attack : " I fur- 

 nished myself with a club for my defence, went on board my 

 boat, and penetrating the first line of those which surrounded 

 my harbor, they gave way ; but being pursued by several very 

 large ones, I kept strictly on the watch ; . . . but ere I had half 

 reached the place I was attacked on all sides, several endeavor- 

 ing to overset the canoe. My situation now became precarious 

 to the last degree ; two very large ones attacked me closely, at 



