H 
BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 
their horses were sometimes killed by them. This statement may 
be easily believed after having experienced the torture which they 
inflict, and seeing the animals literally covered with insects. The 
small keys which, during the winter, present a desolate appear- 
ance, in the summer season teem with bird life ; thousands of Terns 
of different species repair to these deserted spots to breed, and 
their eggs might be gathered by the barrelful, as the rocks and 
sand are, in places, almost covered with them. 
Inagua, besides being one of the largest islands of the Bahamas, 
is the most southern of the group. It is interesting to the sports- 
man and the naturalist on account of the numbers of animals and 
birds which are common there, but are rarely found on any of the 
other islands. A few miles from the coast the road comes out upon 
a large prairie, where wild cattle, horses, and asses are abundant. 
Back of Mathewstown, a large lake some twelve miles in length 
abounds with Ducks and marsh birds. Flamingoes are very abun- 
dant, and the inhabitants organize a party every year, discover their 
breeding-places, and gather many hundreds of their eggs. Among 
the birds interesting to the naturalist might be mentioned the Parrot, 
Spoonbill (which, in some places, is very abundant), and the little 
Humming-bird ( D . lyura :), which seems to be restricted to this island. 
The island of Inagua has never been fully explored, and would no 
doubt richly repay any naturalist who had the leisure and energy to 
complete the exploration of its interior. 
Long Island and Eluthera are worthy of a visit on account of 
the natural caves which abound, some of them large and beautiful. 
