Ouarterly Journal hy of the Florida Academy of Sciences [FORMERLY PROCEEDINGS OF THE FLORIDA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES] Vol. 8 September, 1945 No. 3 Gontents BIRDS of the LOWER FLORIDA KEYS EARLE R. GREENE (Special Number) September, 1945 | Vol. 8, Number 3° QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE FLORIDA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES A Journal of Scientific Investigation and Research Published by the Florida Academy of Sciences Printed by the Rose Printing Company, Tallahassee, Florida Communieations for the editor and all manuscripts should be addressed to Theodore H. Hubbell, Editor, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. Business communications shouid be addressed to Raymond F. Bellamy, Secretary-Treasurer, Florida State College for Women, Tallahassee, Florida. All exchanges and communications regarding exchanges should be sent to the Florida Academy of Sciences, Exchange Library, Department of siology, University of Florida, Gainesville. Entered at the Post Office at Tallahassee, Florida, as second class matter. Subscription price, Three Dollars a year. Mailed, May 24, 1946 oe Lhe Quarterly Journal of The Florida Academy of Sciences A Journal of Scientific Investigation and Research Tueopore H. Hussexr, Editor VOLUME 8 Published by Troe Frormpa ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Tallahassee, Florida 1945-1946 Dates of Publication Number 1 — August 28, 1945 Number 2 — November 29, 1945 Number 3 — May 24, 1946 Number 4 — November 19, 1946 CONTENTS OF VOLUME 8 NuMBER I Chronology of the Pleistocene Epoch. By Richard F. Flint...... The Confederate States of America: An Essay in International Or- eanizacion... DysMigriam D. Tr2shive sa) ties yi, ae fee a - Record of a Tegesta Burial Mound in Palm Beach, Florida. By Jay EO MIC CHES ON OS eg PT Nid AN cogs ese ede pe TR cho CEE Ie ae Folklore and Plant Lore. By S.C. Hood.............. Ve ee Some Aspects of the History of Citrus in Florida. By T. Ralph CEL ST Te ea Ie, AoE Sa oa OEP TPR AICI RIE ie 67H Notes on the First Pleopod of the Male Cambarinz (Decapoda, As- eaeidc 5.2 By Porton ECHObb i. [roe ik i ie ees a A Biological Analysis of the Food and Feeding Habits of Two Frogs, Hyla cinerea cinerea and Rana pipiens sphenocephala. By PROTO) INCI U Ye Oy evi R 285 ohh yes an Ge ge Uae Seer SE Wa ae ee NuMBER 2 Education in This Age of Science. By Arthur A. Bless........... - Some Philosophical Implications of Modern Science. By Wendell The Effect of the Pleistocene Epoch on the Geology and Ground Water of Southern Florida. By Garald G. Parker............. Signposts in Human Nutrition. By Amalia Lautz............... Developments in Wood Use. By William F. Jacobs............. Seaweed Utilization in South Florida. By Robert H. Williams.... The Identification of Oat Varieties by Seed Characters. By Mildred NuMBER 3 Birds of the Lower Florida Keys. By Earle R. Greene............ +9 NuMBER 4 Atomic Energy: “By Arthur A. Bless 2200 a. oe Oe 2.67 The Establishment of Mussolini’s Neofascist State. By Duane RO CNIG a. e aierniee niet oS sa Sree s Se Be ee eee 280 The Pectin Content of the Persian Lime. By Margaret J. Mustard 290 Factors Affecting the Growth and Distribution of Myxophycez . in Florida. "By Melozn. A. Brannon. 2.96 The Cricket-Frog of Peninsular Florida. By M. Graham Netting and Goleman J ONGOIR CES. oo ice ce) ot ke oe 304 Properties of Limerock Concrete. By Mack Tyner............... 311 Index to’ Volume 8 i203. e320 Se eee 331 INDEX TO VOLUME 8 [New names are printed in bold-face type} Acris gryllus dorsalis, 304-309, pl. I Age of Science, education in, 105-112 ALG Myxophycez, 296-303 AMPHIBIA Cricket frog in Peninsular Florida, 304- 10 Food and feeding habits, 71-104 ARCHAOLOGY Tegesta burial mound, 49-51 Atomic energy, 267-279 Biological analysis of food and feeding habits of frogs, 71-104 BIRDS of Lower Florida Keys, 199-265 Bless, A. A., Atomic Energy, 267-279 , Education in this Age of Sctence 10§—112 Brannon, Melvin A., Factors affecting the growth of Myxophycea in Florida, 296-303 Burial mound, Tegesta Indian, 49-51 Cambarinz, pleopod of male, 67-70, figs. 1- I eal grains, Oat vafleties, 171-174 CHEMISTRY factors affecting growth, 296-303 pectin content of Persian lime, 290-295 Citrus, history in Florida, 59-66 Chronology of Pleistocene Epoch, 1-34 Concrete, limerock, 311-330 Confederate States of America, 35-48 CRUSTACEA pleopod of male Cambarinz, 67-70 Crayfish (see CRUSTACEA) Cricket frog, 304-310 Decapoda, Astacidz, 67-70 Distribution of Myxophycez, 296-303 Education, in this Age of Science, 105-112 Energy, atomic, 267-279 Flint, Richard F., Chronology of the Pleisto- cene Epoch, 1-34 FLORIDA citrus in, 59-66 crayfish, 67-70 Cricket frog, 304-310 food and feeding habits of frogs, 71-104 geology of southern Florida, 119-143 Mew species of fungi, 175-188 Tegesta Indians, 49-51 Florida Keys, birds of, 197-265 Folklore and plant lore, 53-57 FORESTRY uses of wood, 153-159 Frog, Cricket, 304-310 Frogs, food and feeding habits, 71-104 FUNGI, new Florida forms: Agaricus alligator, 192-193 —Blazet, 193 —citrinidiscus, 193 —cylindriceps aureus, 194 —pseudoplacomyces, 194 —subcomtulus, 194-195 —subponderosus, 195 —sulphureiceps, 195 —xanthodermoides, 195 Amanita malodora, 198 —subcitriniceps, 198 —suphalloides, 198 —subrecutitia, 198 —verniformis, 198 Armillaria australis, 175-176 —caligata Horidana, 176 Atylospora striatuliformis, 196-198 Clitocybe subilludens, 198 —umbriniceps, 198 Collybia omphalina, 198 Coprinus spraguetformis, 196-197 Cortinellus imbricatus felleus, 176, 198 Flammula preeloceticolor, 198 Gymnopilus proelceticolor, 185, 198 Gymnopus omphalina, 176, 198 Hebeloma pallidifolium, 185 —preefelleum, 185, 186 Inocybe cylindrispora, 186 —floridana, 186 —fulvelliceps, 186-187 —fulviceps, 187 —fulvi-umbonata, 187 —gigantispora, 187-188 —hebelomoides, 188 —nucleata, 188 —parvispora, 188-189 —pertomentosa, 189 —preenucleata, 189 —rosetfolia, 189-190 —striatiformis, 190 —subconnexa, 190 —subfulviformis, 190-191 —subradiata, 191 —vialis, 191 Leptota aurora, 178 —brevipes, 178 —fumosialba, 178-179 —fumosiceps, 179 —sanguiflua, 179 \ 332 —subasperula, 179-180 —Venus, 180 Marasmius superabundans, 180 Meéelanoleuca silvaticoides, 177, 198 —subcylindrispora, 177, 198 —subvolkertti, 177-178, 198 Monodelphus subilludens, 180-181, 198 —um briniceps, 181, 198 Naucoria floridana, 191-192 —similiformis, 192 —subsipariodes, 192 Polyporus Gratzianus, 197-198 Psathyra striatuliformis, 198 Psilocybe longispora, 197 Russula cratcegorum, 181 —pinophila, 182 —pusilliformis, 182 —subbrunneipes, 182 —subsulphurea, 183 Stropharia coronilliformis, 197 Tricholoma imbricatum felleum, 198 —silvaticoides, 198 —subcylindrispora, 198 —subvolkertii, 198 Venenarius malodorus, 183, 198 —subcitriniceps, 183-184, 198 —subphalloides, 184, 198 —subrecutitus, 184, 198 —verniformis, 184-185, 198 GEOLOGY chronology of Pleistocene Epoch, 1-34 of southern Florida, 119-143 Glacial and Interglacial chronology, 1-34 Goin, Coleman J. (see Netting, M. Gra- ham) Great White Heron Wildlife Refuge, 199- 265 Greene, Earle R., Birds of the Lower Florida Keys, 199-265 Green tree frog, 71-104 Ground water, effects of Pleistocene on, TI9 143 Growth, of Myxophycez, 296-303 Habits of frogs, 71-104 Henry, Mildred V., The identification of oat varteties by seed characters, 171-174 HISTORY Confederate States of America, 35-48 Mussolini’s Neo-Fascist State, 280-289 of citrus in Florida, 59-66 Hobbs, Horton H., Jr., Notes on the first pleo- pod of male Cambarine (Decapoda, Asta- cide), 67-70 Hood, S. C., Folklore and plant lore, 53-57 Human nutrition, 145-152 Hyla cinerea cinerea, 71-104 Indians, Tegesta burial mound, 49-51 JOURNAL OF FLORIDA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES INDUSTRY citrus in Florida, 59-66 limerock concrete, 311-330 seaweed, utilization, 161-170 wood, uses, 153-159 International organization, 35-48 Irish, Marian D., The Confederate States of America: an essay in international organiza- tzon, 35-48 Jacobs, William F., Developments in wood use, 153-159 Key West National Wildlife Refuge, 199- 26 Kilby, John D., A biological analysis of the food and feeding habits of two frogs, Hyla cinerea cinerea and Rana pipiens spheno- cephala, 71-104 Koenig, Duane, The establishment of Musso- lini’s Neo-Fascist State, 280-289 Lautz, Amalia, Signposts in human nutrition, 145-152 Limerock concrete, properties of, 311-330 Lower Florida Keys, birds of, 199-265 Marine algz, utilization, 161-170 Modern science, philosophical implica- tions, 113-118 Murrill, William A., New Florida fungi, 175-198 Magen Margaret J., The pectin content of the Persian Lime, 290-295 Mussolini’s Neo-Fascist State, 280-289 Myxophycez, factors affecting, 296-303 Neo-Fascist State, 280-289 Netting, M. Graham, and Coleman J. Goin, The Cricket-frog of peninsular Florida, 304- 310 NUTRITION pectin content of Persian lime, 290-295 signposts in human nutrition, 145-152 Oat varieties, identification, 171-174 Parker, Garald G., The effect of the Pleistocene Epoch on the geology and ground water of southern Florida, 119-143 Pearson, Jay F. W., Record of a Tegesta burial mound in Palm Beach, Florida, 49-51 Pectin, in Persian limes, 290-295 Peninsular Florida, Cricket-frog, 304-310 Persian lime, pectin content, 290-295 Philosophy A eaeric 6 ete oes PHYSICS properties of limerock concrete, 311-330 PLANTS (see also FUNGI) citrus in Florida, 59-66 INDEX TO VOLUME 8 333 plant lore, and folklore, 53-57 Myxophycez, 296-303 new Florida fungi, 175-188 Oat varieties, 171-174 Plant lore, and folklore, 53-57 Pleistocene Epoch chronology, 1-34 effects on geology and ground water, 119-143 POLITICAL SCIENCE Confederate States of America, 35-48 Postglacial chronology, 1-34 Properties, of limerock concrete, 311-330 Rana pipiens sphenocephala, 71-104 Robinson, T. Ralph, Some aspects of the bis- tory of citrus in Florida, 59-66 Science, age of, 105-112 Science, philosophy of, 113-118 Seaweed, utilization, 161-170 Seeds, identification, 171-174 Sovthern Leopard frog, 71-104 Southern Florida, geology and ground- water, 119-143 South Florida, seaweed, 161-170 Stone, Wendell C., Some philosophical impli- cations of modern sctence, 113-118 Tegesta Indians, 49-51 Terminology, of parts of pleopod, 67-70 Tyner, Mack, Properties of limerock concrete 311-330 Water, ground, 119-143 Williams, Robert H., Seaweed utilization in south Florida, 161-170 Wood, uses, 153-159 BIRDS of the LOWER FLORIDA KEYS EARLE R. GREENE Published jointly by the PLORIDA, ACADEMY OF (SCIENCES (QUARTERLY JOURNAL, VOL. 8, No. 3) and the FLORIDA AUDUBON SOCIETY (SPECIAL BULLETIN) 1946 t E : v ~ ' 1 ' ~ = = ~~ ‘ ‘ ‘a ain ; : peas ah fet aes: gener ee ess BIRDS OF THE LOWER FLORIDA KEYS including the GREAT WHITE HERON AND KEY West NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES EARLE R. GREENE New Orleans, Louisiana Bird life on the Florida Keys has been studied for more than one hundred years. Ornithologists from the time of Audubon have made occasional trips to the keys, chiefly during the winter time, and have published reports on the birds they observed. A few students, especially in recent years, have also spent the sum- mer months there and have made brief reports on their findings. The author of this paper served as manager of the Great White Heron and Key West National Wildlife Refuges, for the Fish and Wildlife Service (formerly the Biological Survey), U. 8S. Department of the Interior, from February, 1939, until October, 1942. This assignment was to provide a resident protector for the fast diminishing Great White Herons, as the area constitutes their principal nesting grounds. The study and protection of this great bird was the writer’s primary concern, but the under- taking also permitted observation of other interesting birds, and of the wildlife in general. The Key West National Wildlife Refuge consists of keys or islands lying southwestwardly from the city of Key West, and was established on August 8, 1908, by Executive Order No. 923 of Theodore Roosevelt. The Great White Heron National Wild- life Refuge, consisting of those keys on the Gulf side of the main highway keys in lower Florida Bay, was established on October 27, 1938, by Executive Order No. 7993 of Franklin D. Roosevelt. For the sake of brevity they are called simply the Great White Heron and Key West Refuges in this paper. In addition to the two refuges, the principal keys from Key West to Big Pine Key were under regular patrol and study. On Big Pine Key and a few others a small remnant of the Key deer survives. 200 JOURNAL OF FLORIDA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES The plant life of these keys is semi-tropical and tropical, and on many of them (especially the island of Key West) a number of exotic plants abound, brought in over the years from many foreign ports, and making the area one of intense interest to botan- ists. Most of the keys are covered with a heavy growth of man- grove, including three species—the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), black mangrove (Avicennia nitida), and white man- grove (Laguncularia racemosa). Many of the keys are partially submerged at high tide. A few have open areas and sandy beaches. Although the area studied lacks numerous well known species of birds that are found farther north, and is not in the direct line of migration for many forms, those found here are of ex- treme interest, and some of them are not to be seen anywhere else in the United States. West Indian forms of tropical affinities, as well as wintering birds of western distribution, add to the orni- thological interest of the region. The names of Audubon, Maynard, Atkins, Holt, Bent, Chap- man, Howell and others are closely associated with the ornithology of the keys. A house is still standing (1942) in Key West which is said to have been occupied in 1832 by Audubon. No attempt is made in this paper to present a complete account of the ornithology of the Florida keys; it is simply a report on some of the observations and collections made by the author dur- ing the approximately three and one-half years during which he was manager of the two refuges. Many ornithologists and bird students from various parts of the United States have visited these refuges and contributed val- uable information and advice to the writer. In addition, a num- ber of local residents were of great assistance and influence in the protection of wildlife. To all of these, grateful acknowledge- ment and thanks are extended. Special credit must be given to the following: Stephen C. Singleton, Secretary of the Key West Chamber of Commerce, for much useful information about the keys, and for exerting his influence toward the protection of all wildlife; John H. Davis, Jr., for identification of much of the flora of the keys; Augustus S. Houghton of New York City and Coconut Grove, Florida, for information and companionship on many trips; Mr. and Mrs. Earl Sycks for the use of their botanical garden on Stock Island BIRDS OF THE LOWER FLORIDA KEYS 201 for investigations, and for much information about the plants contained therein; William Demeritt for information, especially that drawn from his years of banding birds in Key West; Mr. and Mrs. Wallace B. Kirke for many favors and aid in bird protection ; Julius Stone of Key West for continual encouragement and back- ing in these studies; and Charles Thompson for valuable assistance on several field trips. Acknowledgement and thanks are also extended to: W. L. MecAtee of the Fish and Wildlife Service for advice and for reading the manuscript of this paper; Dr. John W. Aldrich of the same Service for the identification of several birds and advice on certain subspecies; and Dr. Harry C. Oberholser, formerly of the Fish and Wildlife Service and now of the Cleveland Museum, for identification of and information concerning certain subspecies. Joseph E. Warren of Key West, a faithful patrolman, was the author’s companion on most of the many trips made through- out the area. Miss Harriet Stokes typed the manuscript of this paper, and Miss Susebel Bridges aided in checking and copying the final draft. The services of Miss Stokes were lent, at the suggestion of Dr. James Nelson Gowanloch, by the Louisiana De- partment of Conservation. To all of these thanks are extended for the assistance rendered. The nomenclature used is that of the Fourth American Orni- thologists’ Union Checklist (1931), except in the instance of the Athens Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas typhicola), which was not described until 1934. Earle R. Greene New Orleans, La. October, 1944. 202 JOURNAL OF FLORIDA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES ANNOTATED LIST Common Loon Gavia immer wmmer (Brunnich) A winter resident in this area, occurring in December, Janu- ary, February, and March. December 25, 1939, earliest, and March 18, 1941, latest, date seen. On January 30, 1940, twenty- nine loons were observed in the waters between Key West and Sand Key. Oil-soaked or injured individuals were frequently noted. HoRNED GREBE Colymbus auritus Linnaeus An uncommon winter resident in these waters. My only records are as follows: On February 10, 1940, one bird was observed off Sugarloaf Key in the waters of the Atlantic; on January 7, 1941, one was seen off Fleming Key near Key West. PIED-BILLED GREBE Podilymbus podiceps podiceps (Linnaeus) A winter resident, inhabiting the small ponds and ditches along the lower keys. My earliest note of arrival is November 17, 1941, and the latest date on which it was seen is March 18, 1941. All of the rather frequent observations have been of single birds or of two at the most. Key West, Stock Island, Boca Chica Key, Geigers Key, Sugarloaf Key, and Big Pine Key all harbor a few individuals of this species during the winter months. EASTERN BRowN PELICAN Pelecanus occidentalis occidentalis Linnaeus A permanent resident among the keys, more abundant dur- ing the winter months when its numbers are augmented by birds from farther north. Pelicans are seen throughout both refuges and south to the Marquesas Keys; they are common around the docks and piers of Key West, where they are fed by fishermen and tourists. At one dock, when the fishing boats arrive in port, they mingle with cats and dogs, which have a healthy respect for their huge beaks. of 7 careeea Fig. 1—Map of the Great White Heron and Key West Refuges. Drawn by A. M. Laessle “Ad BIRDS OF THE LOWER FLORIDA KEYS — 203 On July 2, 1940, a nesting site was located on a small key off the Gulf side of Sugarloaf Key. Eleven nests were counted, most of them in a dilapidated condition as the young had left, although fifteen immature birds were counted on the limbs and branches of the mangrove trees. One nest contained two eggs. Many dead small fishes were found in the water below the nests. An interesting and rather amusing incident was noted off South Beach, Key West, on an August day. A pelican, intent only on its fishing, was pursued by a laughing gull. The pelican would dive into the water for the fish, and when it came up the gull would alight on it, generally on its back. I thought at first that the gull would grab at whatever fish the pelican tried to swallow, but apparently this was not the idea. Each time the pelican flew about, the gull would follow and light on its back for a few seconds or minutes, apparently for the ride. This perform- ance did not seem to worry the pelican at all, as it kept right along in its search for food. WHITE-BELLIED BOOBY Sula leucogaster leucogaster (Boddaert) The following are my only records: October 12, 1939, one was seen on buoy No. 8, and one more on another buoy nearer Sand Key, between Key West and Sand Key a few miles off Key West; July 30, 1940, one bird on a marker near Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas. This last location is about 65 miles west of Key West. GANNET Moris bassana (Linnaeus) Although undoubtedly occurring in numbers offshore at times during the winter months, my only record is of nine birds (appar- ently one adult and eight in immature plumage) seen from Key West on December 29, 1941. They were flying a little above the water in a southwesterly direction toward the Key West Refuge.