






RAMBLES IN FLORIDA. 401 
bean; also the Persea Carolinensis, or Alligator pear,* 
sometimes called the Red Bay. 
e banks of the Hillsborough River at the water's edge 
are muddy, with a growth of tall coarse grass. The bivalve 
shell, Cyrena Carolinensis,t may here be obtained; also 
the pretty little river snail, JVeritina reclivata. From the 
wharves, at the proper tide, many fish are caught, principally 
Sheep's-head (Sargus) and Mullet (Mugil), both of which 
are good eating. The supply, however, is quite irregular, 
and the market therefore cannot be depended upon. Oys- 
ters (O. Virginica) of excellent quality abound in the bay, 
and can usually be purchased from boats at the wharf. 
During a portion of the period of our stay at Tampa the 
market was well supplied with venison (Cervus Virginia- 
nus) of good quality, thanks to the energy and skill of an 
one-armed hunter residing a few miles away. The hens of 
Florida deserve favorable mention, if not a diploma, for 
their daily dividends were too important to be forgotten. 
Stalking along the muddy margin of the stream may fre- 
quently be seen the Blue Heron (florida cerulea Baird), 
and the White Heron (Herodias egretta Gray). There is a 
California species that much resembles this last. The White 
or Whooping Crane (Grus Americanus Ord.) and the great 
Blue Crane (Ardea herodias Linn.), and the Egrets ( Demi- 
gretti Pealii Baird) with white plumage, and another (D. 
rufa Baird) of a reddish color, are found in this part of the 
State around the shores of the bay and gulf. Many others 
of the long or stilt-legged bipeds, of the feathered tribes 
belonging to the Grallatores, or waders, are met with when 
rambling through the marshes or exploring the bends, inlets 
or sloughs of the river, or are seen by us from the boat while 
E A o 0.01. eee 
*We were unable to obtain any of the fruit at the time of our visit in the winter; it 
Was quite likely out of season. A species grows in Mexico, but whether identical with 
idi i 
orange; it hasa bright green skin or rind, an contains a pulp of a 
which melts in the mouth like butter. It is eaten with pepper and salt. 
TValves of this shell w 3 us in the shell-heaps, but t common. 

ell were found by 
; 
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. III. 51 
