84 
THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1922 
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND ISLAND, 
GEORGIA 
BY T. GILBERT l’EARSON 
The most southern of all the Sea Islands that skirt the coast 
of the State of Georgia is Cumberland Island, separated from 
Florida by the waters of the little bay up which one would ap- 
proach Fernandina from the sea. It lies some distance from the 
mainland and the intervening territory is covered with exten- 
sive salt marshes, through which winds a navigable creek, that 
composes part of the inland passage used by small boats bound 
up or down the coast. 
About forty years ago Thomas M. Carnegie of Pittsburgh, 
purchased almost the entire island and near its southern end 
built a magnificent home, with fountains, flower gardens and 
other attractive surroundings. This house, “ Dun gen ess/’ is one 
of the most elaborate along the Georgia coast, and is a familiar 
sight to those who in cruising the Atlantic coast, seek the shel- 
ter of the Inland Passage. 
As Mr. Carnegie’s children matured tliev in turn built homes 
on the island, occupying the sites where once stood the wide- 
galleried houses of the old plantation homes. The new owners 
have never engaged in agricultural pursuits and most of the old 
fields are now covered with bushes and second-growth trees. 
The Island also contains much primeval forest land, including 
extensive areas of oak, tulip, poplar and other hardwood trees 
indigenous to the region. There is an extensive area of sand- 
hills covered with beautiful forests of long-leaf pines. There are 
fresh and saltwater marshes, numerous freshwater ponds and 
extensive swamps. 
Some hunting is indulged in during the winter months, but 
as no one is permitted to shoot there except the Carnegies and 
their friends, and as this shooting is not extensive, the wild life 
has been left in almost undisputed control of this great and 
varied region. Virginia Deer are abundant and they are in 
evidence everywhere as one travels about Ihe Island. In no 
place have I found Wild Turkeys so plentiful. 
On May 2, 1 b21 , 1 landed on the Island and remained the 
guest of Andrew Carnegie, 2nd, until the morning of May (i. My 
host graciously put at my disposal every convenience of the 
Island in the way of automobiles, boats and guides, and in fact 
accompanied me almost constantly, paddling the canoe while I 
