Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/508

482 of this bird given above plainly shows that "doctors disagree" about its specific identity with our familiar Moorhen. So far as I can judge, the two are inseparable, but my Bermuda specimens seem a trifle larger than the European birds.

Porphyrio martinica, Purple Gallinule.—This bird must not be confounded with the European P. hyacinthinus, of which it is the American representative. Several were obtained in 1849 and 1850, in the month of April. Mr. Bartram has several specimens. I am almost sure I saw one in Devonshire Swamp in February, 1875. The shy habits and nature of the haunts of this species doubtless prevent many examples being recorded in the visiting list.

Fulica americana, American Coot.—Clearly distinct from our F. atra. A regular visitor in autumn, but never in great numbers. It also occurs on its northward journey, for Mr. Hurdis records one killed at Somerset on the 28lh May, 1847, and I watched one close to me at Basden's Pond on the 27lh April, 1875.

Phœnicopterus ruber, American Flamingo.—One was seen in a mangrove swamp by Mr. Hurdis.

Cygnus americanus, Whistling Swan.—One shot in White's Marsh; the witnesses were living in 1859.

Anser hyperboreus, Snow Goose.—Major Wedderburn's notes contain the following:—"On the 19lh October, 1848, Mr. Hodgson Smith shot two of these birds, in their young plumage, at Riddle's Bay; but unfortunately for the ends of science, they furnished the dinner-table instead of the cabinet." Mr. Hurdis adds, "A wing, pertaining to one of the specimens mentioned by Major Wedderburn, was fortunately saved by Mr. Smith, which removed all doubts as to the species it belonged to. In October, 1849, two 'white Geese' were observed in Mangrove Bay, and on the 10th March, 1851, four dark gray-coloured Geese were seen on the wing, near Peniston's Pond. These were doubtless A. hyperboreus." I may here remark that the young of the Blue Goose, A. cœrulescens, much resembles that of A. hyperboreus, and that consequently the birds seen may possibly have belonged to the former species.

Branta canadensis, Canada Goose.—Included in the list given in 'The Naturalist in Bermuda,' but with no information appended. It has been occasionally seen, but rarely obtained, in the islands. It was observed on three occasions during my stay, one being seen on Peniston's Pond in the autumn of 1874, one in the Great Sound on the 1Oth January, 1875, by the officers of the 53rd Regiment,