FCU~ FIN, AND


WEATHER.


mallard, the canvas-back, the teal, the black duck, the scaup-
duck, the red-head duck, the wood-duck, the ruddy duck,
the raft-duck, the green wingtail, the blue wingtail, snipe,
golden plover, piping plover, black-billed plover, woodcock,
yellow-legs, woodpeckers, godwits, curlew, black-necked
stilt, larks, rails, herons, cranes, kingfishers, and ibis. There
are also eagles, vultures, hawks o several varieties, crows,
owls, coots, loons, pelicans, and paroquets. There is hardly
a section of the State in which some of these species are
not abundant, and there is no season of the year when the
sportsman need seek far for his prey.
 Of furred game many kinds are found. Among the larger
game there are the bear, the panther, the lynx, the gray
wolf, the gray fox, and the wild-cat. Deer (of a very small
size) are found nearly everywhere, but are most abundant
in the southern and western counties, and especially in the
larger islands. Hunting them is probably the best sport
that Florida affords.
 Early one morning in Brooksville, while I was in one of
the little groceries there, an old crackedi," one of the
genuine native sort, came riding up. He was an interest-


his appe


all "cracker," and his
curiosities. He dryly
plain, that he "were g
the old 'ooman say her
later I was interested t(
fat, two-year-old buck
"found his meat," and


arance, costume, and language were
horse, equipment, and gun were
remarked, and his language was
wine arter a de-eer fur dinner, fur
war outer meat." About two hours
Ssee him again ride up with a fine,
thrown across his nag. He had


the body was yet warm.


Evidently


deer are
them.
 Bears
are mostly
they are
where an


plentiful thereabout, and he knew where to find

and panthers are somewhat scarce. Their haunts
y on the islands and in the southern counties ; but
"scared up in all parts of the State, usually right
d when least expected, of course. As game they
 13


mg specimen