88 THE NATURALIST IN BERMUDA. 
many a sporting cruise. It continued, however, to baffle 
all attempts to shoot it, and disappeared early in March. 
FricaTe Birp (Tachypetes aquilus). One of these birds 
was shot by Captain Clutterbuck (56th Regt.), on the 30th 
of September, 1852, and another by Captain Tolcher, of the 
same regiment, on the 2nd of April, 1854. 
Tropic Brrp (Phaéton dithereus). On the rocks and craigs 
of the distant and secluded Islands of Bermuda, where, 
doubtless, in ages past, myriads of sea fowl of various des- 
criptions, nestled and reared their young, the tropic bird, 
two species of tern, and the fabulous “Cahow” of the early 
settlers, are the only sea birds which now frequent those 
shores in the breeding season. 
The Phaéton A2thereus, commonly known by the name 
of “boatswain,” “longtail,” or “tropic bird,” is a summer 
resident in those islands, making its appearance from the 
south, between the 4th and 18th of March, and taking its 
departure early in the month of October. 
The favourite resort of these interesting birds is among 
the small islands, at the entrance of Castle Harbour, on the 
shores of Harrington Sound, and along the south coast from 
the light-house to the north-west extremity of Somerset. 
Here, at the early period above-mentioned, and conspicuous 
by the glittering whiteness of their plumage, and by the two 
long slender feathers of the tail, numbers of these phaetons 
may be seen busy on the wing, wheeling occasionally in their 
flight, and dashing perpendicularly into the blue waves to 
secure their prey, precisely in the manner of the terns. 
On the 10th of May, I have ranged the rugged coast, 
frequented by these birds, for miles, and found it, to all 
appearance, deserted not only by them, but by every other 
