Brewster on Florida Birds. 
42 
dead trunks rang through the woods, but the only note which I 
heard them utter was a comparatively feeble hcec that reminded 
me of the usual cry of the little Downy. Their great size and 
striking coloring harmonized well with the semi-tropical sur- 
roundings. Shortly afterwards a troop of Carolina Par roquets 
( Conurus carolinensis) came darting through the trees, each 
individual screaming as if determined to outdo his neighbor. Their 
pointed wings and long tails gave them a striking resemblance to 
Wild Pigeons, and their flight was scarcely less swift. The sound 
of their clamor reached us long after they were lost to sight. 
Again the scene changed. The river broadened and the forest 
line retreated a little, leaving an expanse of low growth with 
occasional open spaces between. We were approaching the 
“prairies” of the Wekiva, as the settlers term the peculiar 
flooded meadows that form so marked a feature of this in common 
with most Florida rivers. With the altered surroundings were 
introduced two birds not previously seen, the Everglade Kite and 
the Purple Gallinule. Both were apparently rare but several other 
species before uncommon now became very numerous. Of the 
latter class was the Florida Courlan ( Aramus fictits [Batr.] 
Coues) which from its unique and interesting habits deserves 
something more than a passing notice. They were especially 
abundant about the bayous that extended back from the main 
river and into one of these I would now take the reader. 
We entered a narrow channel that wound among the willows 
until it apparently came to an abrupt end. But catching the 
gleam of water beyond we parted the tangled vines that formed 
a sort of natural curtain over the outlet and pushed our way 
through. Before us lay a nearly circular expanse of open water 
with a narrow margin of sedge and in the centre a floating island, 
composed entirely of “bonnets,” as the immense leaves of the 
southern water-lilv are called. Thickets skirted the shore, with 
here and there a stray palmetto, while at the further extremity 
stood a group of fine cypresses. A number of Coots ( Ftdica 
americanai) were collected around the lily-island, some of them 
standing on the broad leaves, others paddling idly about or chasing 
one another. There were a few FTerons scattered along in the 
sedge and an Osprey quietly sat on her nest near at hand. 
But if our presence was a matter of indifference to the birds just 
mentioned we certainly were not ignored by the vigilant Courlans, 
