• SAMUEL A. GRIMES 



The Reddish Egret is one of the most amusing of the herons 

 to watch. 



HOMESTEAD 



While many visitors head quickly for Everglades National 

 Park to enjoy the bird and plant life of the sub-tropics, 

 there are many country roads about Homestead and nearby 

 towns such as Naranja where interesting species of birds 

 may be found in the proper season. 



Common resident birds of the region include Mocking- 

 birds, Cardinals, Ground and Mourning Doves, Meadow- 

 larks, Quail, Screech and Barred Owls. Smooth-billed Anis 

 have increased in recent years and may be found in many 

 locahties, including the area about the Country Club on 

 Route 27 just north of Homestead. Nighthawks and Chuck- 

 will's-widows are commonly heard in summer, and some 

 "Chucks" stay through the winter. The Spotted-breasted 

 Oriole has spread from Miami south to Homestead. Painted 

 and Indigo Buntings are plentiful at feeding stations 

 through the winter. The observer should keep careful 

 watch for wintering Scissor-tailed Flycatchers and Western 

 Kingbirds. 



In migration season, the ficus trees may be well filled 

 with warblers and vireos. A few Ruby-throated Humming- 

 birds spend the winter feeding about Hibiscus and Malvavis- 

 cus. Bobolinks pass through the area spring and fall in large 

 .flocks. 



This is the farthest south in Florida to find Purple 

 Martins nesting. There are two colony houses in Home- 

 stead proper, one erected by the South Dade Audubon 



Society at 8th Street and Krome Avenue, another on 

 Hood's Department Store 



Because of the variation in the seasons, it is recommended 

 that visitors get in touch with some of the active members 

 of the South Dade Audubon Society, who will be glad to 

 furnish up to the minute reports on birds to be found 

 around Homestead. 



Joseph N. Grant 



MIAMI AREA 



MIAMI BAYFRONT PARK— East of Biscayne Bou- 

 levard between N.E. 5th and S.E. 2nd Sts. Any visitor 

 at any of the Miami downtown hotels might enjoy an 

 early morning walk through the park. Besides the ever 

 present Rock Doves and House , Sparrows, other species 

 might be observed, such as Spotted-breasted Oriole, Boat- 

 tailed Grackle, Gray Kingbird, and migrating species in 

 spring and fall. The sunken gardens are interesting. 



RICKENBACKER CAUSEWAY, VIRGINIA AND 

 BISCAYNE KEYS. The 25 cent round trip toll entrance 

 hes on the east side of U. S. I (Brickell Ave.) at S.W. 26th 

 Road. Shore birds and other species frequent the water's 

 edge on both sides. On Virginia Key, a little west of the 

 Seaquarium, a paved road goes north to the Miami Sewage 

 Disposal Plant. The grass plots and ponds inside the fence 

 are productive. If the gate along the north fence line is 

 open, one can walk out to the adjoining area. Back at the 

 main gate, take the road north along the fence and the canal 

 to end. Walk up the path, and west through the man- 

 groves to the bay shore. At low tide extensive mud or 

 sand flat is good for shore birds and water or wading birds. 

 Return to causeway and continue to Crandon Park. Turn 

 into the first parking area (No. 3) and park. From the 

 rest houses a walking road leads through the woods to the 

 north end of Key Biscayne. One can return down the 

 beach. The Zoo at the south end of the park is worth a 

 visit. On down the Key in the residential district a jungle- 

 like hammock back of the vicinity of the Jamaica Inn is 

 often full of migrants in the spring, and off Mashta Point 

 at the southwest corner of the district water birds may 

 be seen. 



MATHESON HAMMOCK COUNTY PARK AND 

 FAIRCHILD TROPICAL GARDENS. Best reached 

 by using U. S. 1 south to Lejeune Road (S.W. 42nd Ave.), 

 turning south (left) to Cocoplum Plaza (Friendship Boots), 

 then two miles down Old Cutler Road (second road on 

 right around the Plaza). At the blinker light a road to 

 the left (east) goes to the Swimming Beach, with a side 

 road to the South Wading Beach. Both places at low tide 

 have extensive flats. Back near the bhnking light, cars may 

 be parked opposite the picnic pavilion. West of light a 

 main trail leads through the dense jungle, with many side 

 trails, to the open county nurseries and to Snapper Creek. 

 On down Old Cutler Road beyond the small parking area 

 on right, and opposite the gate to the main picnic area 

 parking lot, a trail runs down along a pipe line also to the 

 nursery area. To the e.ast of Old Cutler Road lies the 

 picnic area and a series of small lakes. Fairchild Tropical 

 Garden adjoins Matheson Hammock on the southeast of 

 old Cutler Road. Egyptian Geese have been recently intro- 



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