722 A. K Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 



Bahama Ground-dove. ( ColumMgallina passer in a (L.) Bry., Baha- 

 inensis Mayard).* 



Figure 10. Page 430. 



The early writers mention no bird corresponding to this, which, 

 OAving to its very familiar habits, would surely have been noticed 

 had it been present in any numbers. Therefore it seems altogether 

 probable that it was introduced from the Bahamas like large num- 

 bers of the plants, but we have no record of the time or manner of 

 its introduction. It is mentioned as very common in the earliest of 

 the modern lists of birds (1850, 1851). For about 200 years previ- 

 ously, however, there is scarcely anything recorded concerning the 

 birds of Bermuda. It may have been introduced in the 18th cen- 

 tury, which would account for its present abundance. It does not 

 appear to differ from the Bahama form, even as a variety. 



c. — Ringing Birds. 



Mocking Bird. (Mimus polyglottos (L.) Hrewer—31. Carolinensis 



Cab.) 



Figure 59. 



A few individuals of this species seem to have been introduced at 

 several dates. One instance was at Bailey Bay, in 1892. Six pairs 

 are said to have been liberated at St. George's, in 1893, by Capt. 

 Myers, but I have seen no record of the locality from whence they 

 came. 



It has increased very slowly and is still far from common, though 

 often seen in a few localities. It seems to be more fond of the 

 Walsingham region than any other. It seems strange that it has 

 not increased more rapidly, as it has few enemies, unless the English 

 Sparrows or Catbirds destroy its eggs. Some of the West Indian 

 Mocking Birds, as M. oipheus, etc. might be better adapted for the 

 locality. 



English Sparrow. (Passer domesticus (L.) Koch.) 



The European sparrow was introduced here in 1875, as previously 

 into the United States, under the impression that it would prove 

 very beneficial by destroying insects, which it has not done to any 



* It was first identified as the Bahama subspecies by Mr. A. Hyatt Verrill 

 (Amer. Joum. Science, xii,pp. 64-90, and The Osprey, v, June, 1901, p. 83). Mr. 

 Bangs described it, about the same time, but apparently a few days later, as a 

 new species (C. Bermudiana) in the Auk, July, 1901. See also this vol., p. 58, 

 for discussion of dates. 



