HUNTING GROUNDS OF FLORIDA. IO5 
Southeast of Cape Sable is about the only place where flamingoes 
still exist in Florida in any numbers, and a colony or two of them 
breed there every year. This is a country very difficult of access, 
and the birds are very shy and are rarely seen, much less killed. 
On the Bahama Islands, only a short distance from the Florida 
coast, there are colonies of thousands of flamingoes, and their eggs 
are gathered in numbers by the inhabitants. Itis probable that the 
Florida contingent is occasionally reenforced from the Bahamas, 
although the bird was at one time undoubtedly common in Florida. 
Water-birds are abundant about some of the keys. A few pelicans, 
cormorants, gulls, and man-o’-war hawks may be seen almost any 
time, as well as ducks and an occasional heron. 
In some places on the west coast game is very abundant. We 
hear of the abundance of game in the country about the Steinhatchee 
River; but I know but little of it personally and cannot vouch for the 
truth of the statement. From Cedar Keys southward there is plenty 
of game, but the country is rather difficult of access. Near such 
well-known places as Homosassa and Tarpon Springs deer and 
turkeys are numerous in some localities ; but they do not come out of 
the woods and wait to be killed, and one has to have a guide who 
knows the country, as well as properly trained dogs, to insure a suc- 
cessful trip. 
Tampa has grown to the dignity of a city, and naturally large 
game has been driven back, but fine bags of quail and snipe are 
made by the guests of the hotel, and guides and dogs are furnished 
those desiring to indulge in the sport. Arthur Schleman, who is 
at present located at Tampa, owns several dogs and knows the 
country about Tampa. 
There are several small rivers near Tampa, and fair shooting may 
sometimes be had. An occasional deer and turkey still linger. 
Alligators are also to be found, but, as in other portions of Florida 
which have become settled, they are not numerous and are very shy. 
Good fishing may be had within a short distance of Tampa by those 
who care for it. For Tarpon, one must go farther south to get good 
sport, and it should be borne in mind that nowhere is the Tarpon 
