Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/449

Rh nibbled off short by rats, appears to belong here. Its measurements and fully-feathered tarsi are, I think, unmistakable. The bird was originally dubbed an "Eagle." It was shot near Prospect Camp by a medical gentleman, who gave it to Mr Bartram.

Pandion haliaëtus, Osprey.—The movements of this cosmopolitan species in Bermuda are somewhat mysterious. In 1874 I saw the first on April 22nd; in 1875 one was observed on the 17th of that month. During May they are often to be seen, especially about the Great Sound, along the south shore, and at Peniston's Pond; but whether these are old or young birds I cannot say, as I religiously abstained from shooting one. During the summer months I lost sight of them, though I believe they were occasionally observed; but in autumn I met with one or two specimens. On May 2nd, 1875, I watched for some time two of these fine birds circling over Devonshire Swamp. This gave rise to the question, "Do they breed here?" I took eggs in Southern Spain, slightly incubated, on March 29th, and, there being but little difference of latitude between the two places, it would be only natural to suppose that, if they were going to nest in Bermuda, they would have arrived earlier. Probably, therefore, they are young birds from early nests on the southern continent, or Gulf of Mexico. I could hear nothing of nests in former years. 1 must leave the question to be solved by future visitors to the islands.

Haliaëtus leucocephalus, White-headed Eagle; Bald Eagle.—"Uncle Sam's bird" has only once been known to favour Bermuda with a visit. He was not obtained, but was well seen by Mr. Hurdis and by other witnesses.

Cathartes aura, Turkey Buzzard.—A male of this ill-favoured species appeared during the yellow-fever epidemic of 1853. Was its coming accidental, or did some marvellous instinct lead it there? It was shot in the latter part of November, and subsequently examined by Mr. Hurdis.

Ectopistes migralorius, Passenger Pigeon.—Major Wedderburn records that one was seen by Dr. Cole; but no date is given. Mr. Bartram shot one as he lay on a sofa in his museum with "broken-bone" fever, on October 24th, 1863: it was silting on a tree close to his house. My friend Mr. J.M. Jones was informed by Mr. J.H. Trott that, previous to 1831, small parties of these birds were resident in the islands, breeding in the caves at Walsingham and along the south shore; but I am inclined to think, with all