:;::::::Hg: OASIS AND DESERT xfe"--" 



They called vip a host of pleasant memories ; for we 

 last saw these rare hirds a year ago when the sun was 

 setting across the waters of the Indian River in Florida. 

 It was difficult to realize that even here, far south of 

 the Tropic of Cancer, we were yet at only the very 

 northern part of the egrets' range. Their white forms 

 are found from here to the lagfoons of Patagonia. 

 They ask nothing from man, save leave to feed upon 

 the fish and snails of the swamps, and they offer their 

 beauty of form and feather to make a beautiful land 

 still more beautiful. Hitherto man's love of gold and 

 woman's vanity have overbalanced all humane and 

 aesthetic sentiments. May some good fortune protect 

 the egrets in the wild fastnesses of the southern con- 

 tinent, so that our country may, little by little, be 

 restocked with these beautiful creatures ! 



The smaller sandpipers were legion in number, run- 

 ninp' back and forth along; the edg-e of the water. The 

 greatest surprise which the Blue Water had to offer 

 came when we were about to rise from our cramped 

 positions. Without warning, five birds appeared from 

 among the thick reeds at our left and walked quickly, 

 with mincing steps, to the water's edge, Avhere they 

 mingled unnoticed with the lesser waders. We knew 

 them at once for jacanas. This quintet of birds at once 

 absorbed our attention. We had read that the colours 

 of the plumage of the Mexican Jacana were mostly 

 black and a rich, dark chestnut ; but from observing 



«4 79 #» 



