Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/432

406 Pyranga rubra, Scarlet Tanager.—This handsome bird has visited the Bermudas on its vernal migration on several occasions. Two or three examples were obtained in April, 1850; four were seen, and one shot, in May, 1851. Mr. Bartram has several specimens, male and female, and obtained a splendid male near his house early in May, 1875. One was seen and nearly captured after an exciting hunt by Lieut. Denison, R.E., at Somerset, on April 25th, 1875. Mr. J.M. Jones informs me that a male was shot on the edge of the lagoon at Ireland Island on May 6lh, 1869; also that another frequented a garden in Smith's Parish for several days at the beginning of May, 1875. The female is such an obscure-looking bird that she doubtless often escapes the notice invariably accorded to her brilliant partner. There is no recorded instance of the occurrence of this species on its southward journey. Capt. Rooke, 53rd Regiment, and I saw what we took to be a female Scarlet Tanager on October 17th, 1874, near Basden's Pond; but we could not get a shot to confirm our suspicions.

Pyranga æstiva, Summer Red Bird.—The same remarks apply to this species, with reference to its visits to the islands, as to the preceding. It appears to have been especially numerous in April, 1850, when a female was shot on the 9th; a beautiful male, by Major Wedderburn, at Peniston's Pond, on the 19th; two by the same gentleman, at Harris's Bay, on the 20th; and several others. Mr. Bartram has a male and two females, one of the latter killed a year or two since. On the 29th April, 1875, I shot a fine female in Smith's Marsh; it was in wonderful condition, the body being literally coated with layers of orange-coloured fat. The stomach was full of the remains of the Bermuda wasp—a most unpalatable-looking morsel, I should have thought. Wilson alludes to the insectivorous habits of this species.

Hirundo horreorum, Barn Swallow.—I shall take the liberty of quoting from the 'Naturalist in Bermuda,' to illustrate the uncertain appearance of the Swallow tribe in the islands. Mr. Hurdis says (p. 68):—"I can with safety affirm that from October, 1840, to September 12th, 1846, not a Swallow of any description came under my observation, though I believe they were sufficiently common in the September of the former year." Major Wedderburn says of this species (p. 34):—"Rarely seen in April and May, but sometimes numerous in August and September. I have seen it as early as August 1st in the year 1848, at Hamilton, and they were