Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/443

Rh Only three specimens are on record, viz., one obtained by Major Wedderburn in Mr. Hurdis's garden on March 30th, 1850, and two others on St. David's Island on April I5th, 1850.

Contopus borealis, Olive-sided Flycatcher.—Mr.Bartram has one, shot by himself on his farm not many years since.

Contopus virens, Wood Pewee Flycatcher.—A single example was obtained by Mr. Hurdis on April 30th, 1852.

Empidonax Traillii, Traill's Flycatcher.—One specimen is in Mr. Bartram's collection, shot at Stocks Point.

Chordeiles virginianus, Night Hawk.—I cannot do better than quote from 'The Naturalist in Bermuda' the following:— "These curious birds are sometimes very common in April, and also in September and October on their migration north and south. The marsh below Government House was their great resort, when, just as it was getting dusk, they would appear one by one, and soon be skimming about in all directions, uttering every now and then a sharp whirring sort of cry. They double and rush about in a most wonderful manner, frequently depressing first one side, then the other. Although flying close together, they seem to try and keep apart, each having seemingly its own hunting ground" (Wedderburn). "When this bird visits the islands of Bermuda from the north, it invariably appears between the 20th of September and the 11th of October, and, on its vernal flight from the south, arrives with wonderful precision between the 23rd and 30th of April" (Hurdis). Individuals of this species were observed by officers of Prospect Garrison on February 20th and 28th, 1875. It would almost seem probable that these wintered in Bermuda; but the question requires further investigation. They are occasionally picked up dead or in a dying condition. One was found dead in the streets of St. George's on the 26th April, 1875, and a live one was brought to me the same day. The stomachs of several examined in October, 1874, contained numbers of the highly-perfumed "green bug," Rhaphigaster prasinus, so obnoxious to delicate olfactory nerves. For this good service alone the poor birds should be religiously protected during their short visits.

Chætura pelasgia, Chimney Swift.—One was shot on the 13th September, 1849. On the 24th of that month Mr. Hurdis noticed several, left behind after the great flight of the Swallow tribe, already alluded to, had taken its departure. Mr. Barlram obtained one in September, 1874; but I did not meet with the species myself. Rh