22 THE BIRDS OF THE BERMUDAS. 
tory nerves. For this good service alone the poor birds should be 
religiously protected during their short visits. 
Cheturia pelasgia, Chimney Swift.—One was shot on the 13th 
September, 1849. On the 24th of that month Mr. Hurdis noticed 
several, left behind after the great flight of the Swallow tribe, 
already alluded to, had taken its departure. Mr. Bartram 
obtained one in September, 1874; but I did not meet with the 
species myself. 
Trochilus colubris, Ruby-throated Humming Bird.—I found the 
history of this bird’s occurrence in Bermuda in a very unsatisfac- 
tory state. Major Wedderburn writes: ‘‘ There is a tradition that 
the Humming Bird visited the islands of Bermuda in considerable 
numbers about thirty years ago; but of late years they have not 
been noticed till the 26th April, 1852, when Mr. Hurdis wrote to 
me, saying that Mr. John Darrell (son of the Attorney-General, 
now Chief Justice, of those islands) had seen a Hnmming Bird 
under the windows of his father’s house, where it was busily 
employed entering the large white bell-shaped flowers of the giant 
Stramoniwm, its tail only at times being visible. Another was seen 
about the same time, and within about two miles of the same 
place, by a Miss Watson, in her brother’s garden.’’ Referring to 
the above, Mr. Hurdis says:—‘‘ My endeavours to ascertain the 
truth of the tradition alluded.to by Major Wedderburn ended in 
disappointment. The bird seen by Mr. Darrell was described to 
me as greenish in colour, with the tail—the only part visible at 
times—tipped with white. I need not observe that this character- 
istic appertains to the female.’’ I was, therefore, much pleased to 
establish its occurrence beyond a doubt, when going through Mr. 
Bartram’s collection with him. He has a genuine female speci- 
men, shot with powdered rice by himself close to his house, his 
attention having been called to the diminutive stranger by ohe of 
his labourers, who thought it was a large moth. Two others were 
seen at the same time, but not obtained. How these little birds 
got to Bermuda isa marvel. They have powerful wings for their 
size, calculated to keep up that humming vibratory motion neces- 
sary for their mode of feeding; but one would think that such a 
long flight across the sea would induce weariness in so small a 
frame, and leave them at the mercy of the wind and waves. 
Ceryle alcyon, Belted Kingfisher.—‘‘ These birds arrive regularly 
about the middle of September, and are to be found in all the 
mangrove swamps, creeks, and ponds in the islands. Many remain 
during the winter, but they all disappear about the middle of 
April’’ (Nat. in B., p. 33). I have seen these birds as late as the 
26th April, and at one time thought they must occasionally remain. 
to breed ; but after much careful watching, in which I was assisted 
by my friends, I came to the conclusion that they all depart, sooner 
or later, to breed on the North American continent. Hungry Bay 
is.a favourite resort of these fine birds. I have seen six or seven 
there together, chasing one another, darting at the little fish in the 
pools, and uttering their harsh, rattling cry. They affect the same 
hunting grounds, especially those birds that remain for the winter, 
and day after day, as one drives past the creeks and sheltered bays, 
