S. Porter—A West Indian Diary



105



Unfortunately this bird, in common with other Jamaican birds,

is decreasing, owing to the natives copying their so-called superior

white neighbours and indulging in the thrilling (?) sport of killing

little birds. Not only boys, but grown-up natives make expeditions

into the country armed with catapults and endeavour to outdo each

other in the number of small birds they kill.


The Louisiana Heron ( Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis). —This small

Heron is very numerous in Jamaica and is found by nearly all the rivers

and streams and often in the brackish inlets in the mangrove swamps.

Numbers are seen together, not in the manner of a flock, but they just

seem to congregate where the food is most plentiful. Unlike the

ordinary Heron, which watches motionless for its prey, this species

wades and scrambles about in search of the small aquatic life upon

which it feeds. I noticed several birds immersed in the water up to

the top of the neck in the rushing streams. This bird is particularly

fearless, and examples may be seen searching for food in the estuaries

of shallow rivers which run through the middle of the small coastal

villages. The birds wander about in the water only a few yards from

the dusky laundresses who seem to be perpetually washing the family

linen (and no doubt, metaphorically speaking, their neighbours’ as well!)

in every freshwater stream in Jamaica.


The Little Blue Heron ( Florida cseulea caerulescens). —This

beautiful bird was only observed by the Rio Cobre, some miles from

Kingston. It does not seem so common as the smaller Heron, neither

is it as tame, for on the sight of a human being, there is a flurry of

wings and it is soon out of sight. This is the only Heron I have come

across which, from a distance at least, appears a true blue. I think

this bird lives more by fishing in the orthodox Heron manner than its

smaller congener.


The Florida Gallinule ( Gallinula choropus subs) — 1 This lovely

bird is not uncommon on the freshwater pools and small lakes in

Jamaica. Although I did not see any of the birds in a state of liberty,

I saw an example owned by the old black parson in Kingston. It was

in a small aviary and in perfect condition though it had no access to

water. I was rather tempted to purchase it, but having a good many

birds and expecting to purchase more in Haiti I left it. This I rather



