Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/444

418 Trochilus colubris, Ruby-throated Humming Bird.—I found the history of this bird's occurrence in Bermuda in a very unsatisfactory state. Major Wedderburn writes:—"There is a tradition that the Humming Bird visited the islands of Bermuda in considerable numbers about thirty years ago; but of late years they have not been noticed till the 26th April, 1852, when Mr. Hurdis wrote to me, saying that Mr. Jolin Darrell (son of the Attorney-General, now Chief Justice, of those islands) had seen a Humming Bird under the windows of his father's house, where it was busily employed entering the large white bell-shaped flowers of the giant Stramonium, its tail only at times being visible. Another was seen about the same time, and within about two miles of the same place, by a Miss Watson, in her brother's garden." Referring to the above, Mr. Hurdis says:—"My endeavours to ascertain the truth of the tradition alluded to by Major Wedderburn ended in disappointment. The bird seen by Mr. Darrell was described to me as greenish in colour, with the tail—the only part visible at times — tipped with white. I need not observe that this characteristic appertains to the female." I was, therefore, much pleased to establish its occurrence beyond a doubt, when going through Mr. Bartram's collection with him. He has a genuine female specimen, shot with powdered rice by himself close to his house, his attention having been called to the diminutive stranger by one of his labourers, who thought it was a large moth. Two others were seen at the same time, but not obtained. How these little birds got to Bermuda is a marvel. They have powerful wings for their size, calculated to keep up that humming vibratory motion necessary for their mode of feeding; but one would think that such a long flight across the sea would induce weariness in so small a frame, and leave them at the mercy of the winds and waves.

Ceryle alcyon, Belted Kingfisher.—"These birds arrive regularly about the middle of September, and are to be found in all the mangrove swamps, creeks, and ponds in the islands. Many remain during the winter, but they all disappear about the middle of April" (Nat. in B., p. 33). I have seen these birds as late as the 26th April, and at one time thought they must occasionally remain to breed; but after much careful watching, in which I was assisted by my friends, I came to the conclusion that they all depart, sooner or later, to breed on the North American continent. Hungry Bay is a favourite resort of these fine birds. I have seen six or seven