146 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVIII 
ing indented by an endless variety of inlets and bayous where one may cruise 
for days in a “kicker” and continually run across vistas that are new. In 
many places a dense growth of mangroves fringes the water’s edge, forming a 
congenial retreat for pelicans, frigates and herons. To the botanist a man- 
grove swamp is said to offer points of peculiar interest ; but the practical ornith- 
ologist, whose chief concern is to find a way through, is not likely to share his 
enthusiasm ; the growth is absolutely impenetrable by boat, and locomotion 
over the slippery aerial roots sooner or later is apt to land one in the black and 
sticky mud below. These trees find their greatest development on the banks 
of the so-called Guantanamo River, a narrow, canal-like stream that flows 
along the west side of the bay and empties near the harbor mouth. Its quiet 
waters afford good fishing and plenty of alligators, while herons of several 
species frequent the banks. The local headquarters of this family, however, is 
a big swamp at the upper end of the bay beyond the limits of our reservation. 
When I last visited this locality, several years ago, I found a native family — 
wretched victims of “calentura” — established on its outskirts busily, and suc- 
Fig. 40. View on Guantanamo River, Cuba 
cessfully, occupied in “plume hunting”. Since then this traffic has dimin- 
ished, not only from lack of material, but also, let us hope, from some enforce- 
ment of the excellent protective laws promulgated by the Cuban government. 
While my various trips to this station, since our occupation in 1898, in- 
clude nearly every month in the year my longer visits have usually been dur- 
ing January, February and March; consequently most of my observations per- 
tain to late winter and early spring, the latter part of the dry season. With- 
out attempting a complete or even provisional list of birds found on the Sta- 
tion the following brief remarks on a few that have seemed to me particularly 
interesting or characteristic may help to give some general idea of the local 
avifauna as a whole. 
Pelecanus occidentalis. Brown Pelican. Pairs or single individuals seem to pre- 
empt certain small inlets and stick closely to their own particular locality. Still com- 
mon at all times and doubtless breeds in the vicinity. 
Fregata aquila. Frigate Bird. Formerly very common and probably bred on or 
near the Station. Now much less abundant, at least during the winter months when 
