Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/505

Rh to approach than the preceding. Locally termed "Wood Snipe."

A good number accompanied the Golden Plover on their arrival in September, 1874, and several were killed along the north shore. Both species of Curlew remain but a short time.

Ibis falcinellus (var. Ordii), Glossy Ibis.—An inhabitant of" the Southern United States, separated from the European species by Bonaparte in 1838, but occupying still an uncertain position with regard to it. One example only has occurred in Bermuda, seen by Mr. Hurdis, but not obtained.

Ardea herodias, Great Blue Heron.—Of this fine species Major Wedderburn says (Nat. in B., p. 38), "Many of these birds arrive in autumn, and a few remain throughout the year. In 1846 the nest of this bird, containing two eggs, was found amongst the mangrove trees at Hungry Bay. The Rev. H.B. Tristram kept one of these Herons alive in his garden (at the Parsonage, in Ireland Island), which was once seen to seize a Ground Dove and swallow it entire." I made numerous enquiries, and kept a careful lookout, but was unable to ascertain whether any second instance occurred of the nest being found. Most of the examples obtained or seen during my stay were in immature plumage. A few were always to be seen singly, among the islands in the Great Sound and Castle Harbour, being very wary and hard to approach.

Ardea egretta, Great White Egret.—Two were killed at Hungry Bay in 1840; several were subsequently seen, but not obtained. A coloured youth described two of these birds to me as having been seen by him in Warwick Swamp in October, 1874, adding that he shot one, but it was too much knocked about to keep. These may have belonged to the next species, but, from the size mentioned, I fancy them to be referable here. Mr. Bartram has obtained one specimen. [One was shot in Devonshire Swamp by Capt. Hussey, of the 20th Regiment, and presented to me on the 6th October, 1875.— H.D.]

Ardea candidissima, Snowy Heron.—Two beautiful specimens, in full plumage, were shot by Major Wedderburn in April, 1850, and several were seen in September following. Thus it seems that it visits the islands both in spring and autumn at the usual periods of migration. Mr. Bartram has a pair in his collection.

Ardea cærulea, Little Blue Heron.—Mr. Hurdis says, "Of seven specimens of this Heron which came under my observation, four were shot in April and May, and three in September and October.