664 A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 



called " Ravens." There can scarcely be a doubt but that they 

 were Turkey Buzzards. These birds, like other vultures, have often 

 been observed to appear during the time of fatal epidemics in other 

 places. During the epidemic of yellow fever in Bermuda, in 1853, 

 a specimen of the Turkey Buzzard was shot and examined by Mr. 

 Hurdis. Capt. Smith's account is as follows : 



" About this time or immediately before, came in a company of 

 Ravens, which continued amongst them all the time of this mortal ity 

 and then departed, which for any thing knowne, neither before nor 



Figure 43. —Turkey Buzzard (Cathartes aura). 



since, were ever seene or heard of ; this with divers other reasons 

 caused Master More to goe out to Sea, to see if he could discover any 

 other Islands, but he went not farre ere ill weather forced him 

 backe ; and it were a n©ble adventure of him would undertake to 

 make more perfect all the dangers are about the Summer lies." 



I have seen no record of this bird appearing in Bermuda since 

 1853, but probabby it flies near the islands not infrequently, without 

 attracting attention. 



None of the early writers mention any birds corresponding to 

 the Ground Dove or the Quail, both of which are common and 

 familiar. Therefore it is probable that they were introduced in later 

 times. (See ch. 34.) 



Nor do those quoted above mention a parrot. But this would not 

 be strange, in case a species of shy and retiring habits had existed. 



Governor Roger Wood, in a letter written about 1632, refers to 

 four parrots that his wife was sending by the ship to a friend in 

 England, as follows : 



" My wiffe hath sent 4 Parrats in a cage unto my Lady, to bee 

 either kept for your Honor's pleasure to looke upon, or to give unto 

 who your Honor please who takes delight in keeping of them. The 



