BLUE KITE. 
certain was a female, if it possibly could be procured. Therefore, leaving iny companion with 
the dingey, I waded out toward it over the shaking marshes. 
I could not see the boat after going a few rods, on account of the grass, but caught an occa¬ 
sional glimpse of the Kite through the breaks formed by pools and streams; for the bush on 
which it was perched was high, and the grass near it low. I was obliged to go round a number 
of deep pools which were the homes of several large alligators. These huge reptiles were evi¬ 
dently unaccustomed to the sight of man, and remonstrated with me for invading their territory 
by coming to the surface and grunting in a tone which suggested to me that they wished to use 
their teeth as a conclusive argument that I was an intruder on property they had held undis¬ 
puted for many years. Water moccosins were also abundant, and I was obliged to exercise 
great caution lest I should tread on them. Taking all these things into consideration I came to 
the conclusion before I was half way to the bird, that it was one of the most dismal walks I had 
ever taken, and nothing but the thought that a female Everglade Kite was the stake, induced 
me to proceed. 
As I drew near it I used great caution, and, by keeping under cover of the grass, managed 
to approach within eight rods, then quickly shot at it. The bird sprang at the report and 
flew upwards. I thought for a moment that it was lost, but was delighted to see it suddenly 
pitch downward. I hurried towards the spot and found it lying, badly wounded, in a place 
where the grass was thin, and saw at a glance that it was indeed a female. I then turned to 
look for the boat, but could not tell in what direction to proceed, until I heard a shout, and per¬ 
ceived my companion’s shawl waving over the saw-grass. Following this guide I regained the 
skiff and rowed home well pleased. 
March 24th found Mr. H. and myself once more in the Everglades, searching for Kites. 
We had killed two males and a female, and upon picking up the latter, I found that she was 
incubating. Before shooting her she had behaved strangely, and 1 was certain that she had 
eggs near. I then commenced a long aud systematic search, during which time I was nearer 
two or three large alligators than I care to be again under the circumstances. At last I had the 
pleasure of discovering the nest in a Magnolia glauca bush. It was placed about four feet from 
the water and contained one egg. It was quite flat, about a foot in diameter, and was composed 
of sticks carelessly arranged, and lined with a few dry heads of saw-grass. Upon dissecting the 
female we found an egg just ready to be laid, but immaculate, being blue in color throughout. 
Previous to this time we had become acquainted with the Indians. The knowledge which 
these people possess of Natural History is surprising, inasmuch as they probably never saw a 
naturalist, and if they had would not have learned much from him, for they speak but little 
English. Among those particularly noticeable in this respect was Tiger Tail, the son of a re¬ 
nowned chief of the same name who so bravely withstood the whites during the last Seminole 
wars. Tiger, as we familiarly called him, was a stalwart, finely formed man, about thirty 
years of age, with a handsome expressive countenance, and bright, intelligent looking eyes. 
Besides being a man of influence in the tribe he was a fine hunter, and his wigwam never 
lacked venison. He not only knew the different mammals of the country, but also readily dis¬ 
tinguished and named the different species of birds that we showed him. Every one, except a 
few of the smaller species of warblers that only winter in Florida, had its Seminole name. 
Even insects had their names, and Tiger has frequently showed me the chrysalis of some butter¬ 
fly or moth and afterwards pointed out, from my collection, the species that came from it. 
The Everglade Kite was at once recognized as So-for-fun-i-car', and his sole place of resi¬ 
dence said to be Pi-i-o-kee'. We explained to Tiger that we were anxious to procure So-for- 
fun-i-car' sos-ta-kar' (kites’ eggs) and he promised to look out for them. The other Indians, 
who visited us and exhibited much interest in our pursuits, were also given to understand that 
we would be pleased to see birds’ eggs. 
