ZOOLOGY. 79 
occasionally met with from that period to the end of April, 
it then disappears for the summer months; thus closely 
resembling the belted kingfisher in its movements. 
A number of these herons sought refuge in the Bermudas 
during a violent gale, which swept over those Islands on the 
14th and 15th October, 1848; they appeared on all parts of 
the coast, from St. George’s to Ireland Island, and, from the 
circumstance of five being captured alive in different loca- 
lities, it would appear that they landed in a state of great 
exhaustion. A friend, stationed at Ireland Island, wit- 
nessed the arrival of two herons of this species during 
that storm; they made the land from the north, flew close 
to the surface of the waves, and appeared to be much 
fatigued. 
BuiuE Heron (A. ewrulea). Of seven specimens of this 
heron, which came under my observation, four were shot in 
April and May, and three in September and October. It 
may, therefore, be considered both a vernal and autumnal 
visitor to the Bermudas. Three of the spring specimens 
were beautiful exemplifications of the change from the white 
plumage of the young, to the rich vinous purple of the 
adult bird. 
AMERICAN BiTTerN (A. lentiginosa). In the stomach of 
one, shot in the Pembroke Marshes, was found an eel, six 
inches long, a mouse, a dragon fly, a grasshopper, and part 
of a small golden carp. 
Least BiTTerN (A. exilis.) Another specimen of this 
miniature bittern was captured alive, by a whale-boatman, 
on the rocks of St. David’s Head, on the 20th of April, 
1853, where it must have alighted on its flight to the north. 
There can be no doubt of the migratory habits of this bird. 
