Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/425

Rh beyond measure. They are at most times remarkably bold birds, and follow an intruder through the swamp or cedar grove, perching close to him and scolding most unmusically; but when a pair have a nest they are far more suspicious, and silently leave the neighbourhood of their home. The hen bird sits very close on her eggs, but when disturbed darts rapidly away, returning as quickly and noiselessly when danger is past. Nidification commences about the end of the first week in April, and again at the end of May, two broods being reared. The nest is a large clumsy structure, built of dry grasses, weeds, and twigs, lined with small rootlets. It is very often ornamented externally with rags, bits of paper, skeleton leaves, &c., according to the quaint fancy of the architect. The usual site is in a cedar branch or lemon tree, at from three to eight feet from the ground; but occasionally an ambitious pair will go a few feet higher. Eggs deep blue, with a greenish tinge, ·92 in. by ·68 in., usually four in number. Among the numerous nests I examined I found a considerable proportion to contain one egg much shorter and rounder than the other three. In one case this egg was almost a perfect sphere. There being but few grapes or wall fruits grown in Bermuda to attract these mischievous birds, they are not looked upon with the same disfavour as in the United Stales.

Saxicola œnanthe, Wheatear.—This bird, a waif and a stray from Europe, via Greenland, to the American continent, has actually found its way to these remote islands. One was shot by an officer of the garrison, near the lighthouse, on October 5th, 1846; the tail, unfortunately, was the only portion preserved, but this was sent to the late Mr. Yarrell, who confirmed its identity. Another was seen frequently by Col. Drummond and Major Wedderburn, near St. George's, in March, 1850, but baffled all their attempts to obtain it. Whether these two examples came direct from Greenland, or were blown off the American coast, is an inscrutable mystery.

Sialia sialis, Eastern Blue Bird.—Resident, and very common. It is also migratory, arriving in small flocks after heavy gales in the winter months. Major Wedderburn observed them in large flocks at Ireland Island on January 5th, 1848; and my friend Mr. J.M. Jones records their appearance in smaller bands in the Novembers of 1866 and 1871. I have frequently noticed a sudden increase in the numbers of this species in winter, but the visitors appear to