Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/445

Rh there together, chasing one another, darting at the little fish in the pools, and uttering their harsh, rattling cry. They affect the same hunting grounds, especially those birds that remain for the winter, and day after day, as one drives past the creeks and sheltered bays, one sees the same solemn-looking individual on the accustomed rock or cedar-bough, one eye on the fish in the water below, the other on the passers by.

Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, Black-billed Cuckoo.—The first example recorded was shot by Gibbs early in October, 1874, at the same time as a number of the succeeding species, C. americanus, from which its smaller bill, less white on the tips of the tail-feathers, and red ring round the eye, at once distinguish it. Mr. Bartram also obtained a specimen that autumn, and I found two others in his collection, labelled C. americanus. I saw one near Devonshire Bay on the 19th April, 1875, and one (probably the same) was brought to me on the 30th of that month from Hungry Bay. Lieut. Hopegood, of the 97th Regiment, shot one of a pair in a potato-field near Devonshire Bay on the 8lh May, 1875. I imagine this species has occurred more frequently than the records tend to show, not having been distinguished from its larger-billed congener.

Coccyzus americanus, Yellow-billed Cuckoo.—A kw specimens only are recorded previous to the 9th October, 1849, when an extraordinary invasion took place. Thousands of these birds suddenly appeared in all parts of the islands, most of them departing as suddenly the next day. A few were seen in April, 1852. They were numerous from the 12th to the 15th of October, 1874, and a few remained behind for some time. I shot one near Devonshire Bay, in a potato-field, on the 7th November: its stomach (like that of other specimens examined) was full of green caterpillars collected from the leaves of the potatoes. I was very angry with myself for having killed the poor bird when doing such good service.

Sphyrapicus varius, Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.—Of this species Major Wedderburn says:—"In general not very common. I first saw it in December, 1847; again in November, 1848; and in April, 1850, a great many suddenly appeared, several of which 1 shot. Many of the palmetto trees are bored by this bird. It breeds in Mr. Ballinghall's garden every year, and 1 should think that a few also breed in holes in the large trees at Brackish