“The not altogether handsome, downy stage.” 
The most common 
number of eggs Ina 
nest was three, but 
quite frequently 
there were only two. 
In only one nest did 
we find four, and in 
one other five. If we 
assume that each 
pair raises two 
young, the colony 
would double its 
numbers every sea- 
son, if not disturbed. 
Though we did not 
land on the adja- 
cent islands, where 
the other pelicans 
were nesting, we 
sailed close by, and 
estimated, from ap- 
pearances, that 
there were over 200 
nests. Supposing, 
then, that there were 
1,200 nests in all, the 
total adult popula- 
tion of the colony 
ean be placed at 
2,400. 
Mr. F. M. Chap- 
man has recorded 
that on a visit to 
this island, m 1898, 
he counted 845 
nests, and noticed 
a very few on an- 
other nearby island. 
Assuming that there 
were then 900 nests 
in all, the colony has 
apparently in- 
creased about one- 
third in four years. 
This desirable result 
may be due to the 
better enforcement 
of strict laws in 
Florida against the 
destruction of 
plume-bearing 
birds, the efforts of 
the American Orni- 
thologists’ Union in 
appointing a warden 
to guard the colony, 
and a bettering of 
~~ 
