The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1921-08-20
Qk2zTZ2VOKzE DlIZAIZD

Prairie Is typical Of the so-caed ''prairies" Of the
swamp. These prairies essentially marshes,
with more or less open water, but practically
filled with luxuriant growth Of aquatic plants.
These include water lilies maiden cane. pitcher
plants. arrowhead, arrow arum. saw grass, fern.
paint root and sphagnum. They are the faVoreu
resort Of waterfowl. Here and there on the
prairies stand picturesque clumps or heads OF
cypress and pine. Yet abundant crops OF corn
and sweet potatoes are raised In the swamp III"
much Of It may be waded.
Francis Harper, assistant biologist OF the UNI
ted States biological survey contributes an inter-
estng article on "Okefnokee Swamp rs Reser-
vation" to Natural History. OF its animal ana
plant life he says, In part:
There are probably between one and two hun
dred black bears in the swamp and Its Immediate
environs the Florida deer is a rather common
and well-distributed species on the Islands ana IN
other parts Of the swamp; the Florida otter Is
a fairly common denizen Of this wilderness; sew
eral panthers have been recorded about the DOT
ders within the past few years. fiorida VOL
was killed near the edge Of the swamp about loIo:
and some animal believed to he wolf was heard
in the swamp several times In 1916 This species
is virtually extinct, and there are only one or
two specimens In the museums OF the country
That curious little animal the Florlda water raj
or round-taed muskrat (Neofber allen). has
inst recently been discovered In the swamp. 1t
il very abundant here in its only known habitat
In Georgia
The ivorybll our greatest and most magnif
cant woodpecker now on the very verge OF extinc.
t,on has maintained In the Okefnokee one or It's
last strongholds. The great pileated woodpecker
scarcely less splendid than the ivorybll, Is aston
ishingIv abundant, its numbers here perhaps sur
nassng those Of any other part OF the country
The American egret once nearly exterminated
for its plumes has been found breeding In the
environs OF the swamp. 1t also has here safe
winter refuge. The Okefinokee Is the only place
in Georgia where may find the sand-hill crane
and the Iimpkin. The former Is resident and
quite common species, but only one or two OF the
curious and fast-dIsappearng limpkins have been
observed in the swamp which doubtless repre-
sents the northern limit Of their breeding range
The wood duck Is q resident species OF which
there are probably hundreds of individuals IN the
swami In the entire country there Is perhaps
no other equally favorable habitat for this rare
and beautiful little duck
As a winterIng ground for migratory waterfowl
the Okefnokee is of very considerable Importance
IIayor species of interest to game conservation
ists were found wntering In 1867. In numbers
loosely estimated follows: hooded merganser,
several hundred mallard, several thousand; black
duck: 1000; green-winged teal, 70; pintall Oh;
wood duck 500; ring-necked duck, several hun
dred sand-hill crane, 100: woodcock 100; Will
sons snipe 500; kildeer, 100. Altogether about
s5 snec,es of birds have been recorded from the
s.omn In summer and about 30 In winter. AT
the latter season it attracts great numbers OF
berry and fruit-eatng BIRDS
At present a considerable amount OF hunting
is carried on. chiefly by residents In and about
the swamp Deer. bears, and wildcats are hunted
with hounds at virtually all seasons OF the year.
Not only the ordinary game BIRDS but also such
snecies as the wood Ibis. Wards heron, sand-hill
crane and occasionally even sormoranf or
water turkey. killed and eaten. Inc WOOD
dnct although protected by both state and FED