The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-09-03
QEE1Z3VOKE IlIZAIZD

Prairie is typical of the socalled praries Of the
swamp These prairies are essentially marshes
with more or less open water but practicahy
filled with luxuriant growth OF aquatic plants
These include water lilies maiden cane, pltcher
plants arrowhead, arrow arum, saw grass. Tern,
paint root and sphagnum. They are the 1aVoie"
resort of waterfowl. Here and there on uhe
prairies stand picturesque clumps or heads OF
cypress and pine. Yet abundant crops OF corn
and sweet potatoes are raised in the swamp anu
much of it may be waded.
Francis Harper. assistant biologist Of the UNI
ted States biological survey contributes an inter-
esting article on "Okefnokee Swarm as keser,
walton" to Natural History. VI us ahi1-si anu
plant life he says in part:
There are probably between one and two nun
dred black bears in the swamp and its Immediate
environs; the Florida deer is rather common
and well-dstributed species on the Islands anu III
other parts of the swamp; the f1orlda otter -
a fairly common denizen Of this wilderness sew
era panthers have been recorded about the por-
ders within the past few years; fiorioa WI
was killed near the edge of the swamp about l9lo:
and some animal believed to be wolf was heard
IN tbe swamp several times in 1916. This species
is virtually extinct, and there are only one OF
two specimens in the museums OF the country
That curious little animal, the Florida water rat
or round-tailed muskrat (NeonDer alienp' mas
inst recently been discovered In the swamp IL
in Georgia.
The iyorybill our greatest and most magnif-
cent woodpecker, now on the very verge OF extinc'
zion has maintained in the Okefinokee one OF It's
last strongholds The great pileated woodpecker'
scarcely less splendid than the ivoryDil Is aston
,sh,nplv abundant its numbers here perhaps sur
passing those Of any other part of the country
The American egret, once nearly exterminated
for its plumes has been found breeding In the
enyirons Of the swamp It also has here safe
winter refuge The Okefnokee is the only place
in Georgia where one may find the sand-hin crane
and the lmpkin. The former Is resident ana
quite common Species but only one or two OF the
curious and fast-disappearing limpkins have been
observed in the swamp, which doubtless repre-
SCENTS the northern limit Of their breeding range.
The wood duck Is a resident species OF which
there are probably hundreds OF individuals In the
swamp. In the entire country there Is perhaps
no other equally favorable habitat for this rare
and beautiful little duck.
IA 4 winter1ne ground for migratory waterfowl,
the Okefinokee Is Of very considerable importance
Eleven species Of interest to game conservation
lists were found wintering in 1867, in numbers
loosely estimated as follows: hooded merganser
several hundred mallard, several thousand; black
duck; 1000; green-winged teal. 20; pintail, 80;
wood duck, 500; ring -necked duck, several hum
dred; sand-hill crane, 100; woodcock, 100; Will
sons enipe, 500; killdeer, 1O0 Altogether about
So species OF birds have been recorded from the
swamp In summer, and about 80 in winter. At
the latter season 1t attracts great numbers Of
berry and fruiteating BIRDS
At present 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
species as the wood ibis. Wards heron, sand-hili
crane, and occasionally even a cormorant or
water furkey are killed and eaten. The wood
duck, although protected b. both state and fed