26 Joint Bulletin 8 



Among other species not common in the State, seen by the writer 

 recently, were Scirpus deMlis Pursh, Snipe Island pond; Veronica 

 Chamaedrys L., maple woods, Lake Carmi, Franklin. 



SOME FLORIDA BIRDS AND PLANTS 



Mary A. Loveland 



My first observations of birds and plants in Florida were made 

 at Jacksonville, where we arrived early in the morning of January 13, 

 1922. Having about three hours to wait before starting on the trip 

 across the state, I took a walk in the city and saw palms, ferns and 

 numerous other foliage plants, with lilies and poinsettias in bloom, 

 besides many flowers that I did not know. The only birds noticed in 

 Jacksonville were crows and English sparrows. 



One cannot study birds very well on a moving train, but, thanks to 

 fellow travelers, I learned the names of some new trees during the 

 ride. Live oaks, water oaks and scrub palmettos were pointed out. 

 It was unnecessary to ask the names of some of the fine looking 

 plants in the gardens — lettuce, for instance, grown in long rows. 



Trees of various kinds were festooned with the so-called "Long 

 Moss," which is really not a moss at all but an air plant which does 

 not injure the trees as a parasite might. There were many pines on 

 the route and in some of the forests the bark was slashed and cups 

 were hung to catch the pitch. At one place a fire had killed the 

 young trees. A vine, covered with masses of yellow flowers, was 

 noticed on houses and trellises. This was learned later to be Bignonia. 



The morning after my arrival in Auburndale, a friend and I took 

 a walk on the street, beside which we found flve species of wild 

 flowers in bloom. We discovered a dead bluejay not far from the 

 asphalt pavement. The noisy jays were numerous in the trees near 

 the cottage where we stayed. The Florida jay is much like our New 

 England bluejay, but smaller. 



An early acquaintance was made with the cardinal or redbird, 

 which, with its brilliant coloring, is sure to attract attention. The 

 female, as in many species of birds, is duller in color although it has 

 tinges of red. In March the song was noticed. Different people in- 

 terpret it very differently. A neighbor thought the bird said "chew 

 chew!" 



