FLORIDA BIRD-LIFE SI 



many species which were forced southward during the lee 

 Age. Perhaps to the influence of this profound climatic 

 change we may attribute the presence of the Great Auk in 

 Florida, as attested by the remains of this boreal lard in a 

 shell-mound near Orrnond. 



Interesting as are the various factors thus far men- 

 tioned, their results are appreciated mainly by the bird stu- 

 dent, and it is to the development of its " rookeries" that the 

 bird-life of Florida owes its most distinguishing feature and 

 greatest charm. 



In our southern states, "rookery" (pronounced r litte- 

 ry) is the term uniformly applied to nesting colonies of 

 birds. Such gatherings may be made of from one to several 

 species, but, because of their commercial importance, one 

 more frequently hears of Heron rookeries; particularly 

 such as are tenanted by "Long" and "Short" Whites," as 

 the aigrette-bearing Herons are called. There may, however, 

 be Ibis, Cormorant, Water Turkey or Pelican rookeries. 

 From rookery we have in common use, among plumers, at 

 least, the verb to rook, which, in its past tense, becomes 

 rooked or even rooketed, while the participle is rookin'. 



In addition to its southern position, Florida's number- 

 less lakes, extensive bayous, marshes, and shallow shores 

 abounding in food ; its cypress swamps, "willow-heads," 

 and mangroves, suitable for nesting, have made it an ideal 

 home for those aquatic birds which nest in colonies, in trees 

 or bushes growing, preferably, in water. Of these birds, 

 Herons, Egrets, Ibises, Spoonbills, and others, the state 

 once possessed a marvelous store, but he it said to Florida's 

 everlasting disgrace that, until the honorable industry of 

 shooting birds at their nests became no longer profitable, 

 she raised no hand to save herself from being despoiled of 

 this rich heritage. Even then, the passage of laws was 

 secured only through influence from without. The laws, how- 

 ever, were not observed; and all efforts to secure conviction 

 under them failed. 



