THE BIRDS OF THE BERMUDAS. 23 
one sees the same solemn-looking individual on the accustomed 
rock or cedar-bough, one eye on the fish in the water below, the 
other on the passers by. 
Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, Black-billed Cuckoo.—The first exam- 
ple recorded was shot by Gibbs early in October, 1874, at the same 
time as a number of the succeeding species, C. americanus, from 
which its smaller bill, less white on the tips of the tail-feathers, 
and red ring round the eye, at once distinguish it. Mr. Bartram 
also obtained a specimen that autumn, and I found two others in 
his collection, labelled C. americanus. I saw one near Devonshire 
Bay on the 19th April, 1875, and one (probably the same) was 
brought to me on the 30th of that month from Hungry Bay. 
Lieut. Hopegood, of the 97th Regiment, shot one of a pair in a 
potato-field near Devonshire Bay on the 8th May, 1875. I imagine 
this species has occurred more frequently than the records tend 
to show, not having been distinguished from its larger-billed 
congener. 
Coceyzus americanus, Yellow-billed Cuckoo.—A few specimens 
only are recorded previous to the 9th October, 1849, when an 
extraordinary invasion took place. Thousands of these birds 
suddenly appeared in all parts of the islands, most of them 
departing as suddenly the next day. A few were seen in April, 
1852. They were numerous from the 12th to the 15th of October, 
1874, and a few remained behind for some time. I shot one near 
Devonshire Bay, in a potato-field, on the 7th November: its 
stomach (like that of other specimens examined) was full of green 
caterpillars collected from the leaves of the potatoes. I was very 
angry with myself for having killed the poor bird when doing such 
good service. 
Sphyrapicus varius, Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.—Of this species 
Major Wedderburn says:—‘‘In general not very common. I first 
saw it in December, 1847; again in November, 1848; and in April, 
1850, a great many suddenly appeared, several of which I shot. 
Many of the palmetto trees are bored by this bird. It breeds in 
Mr. Ballinghall’s garden every year, and I should think that a few 
also breed in holes in the large trees at Brackish Pond; and in 
some of the other large swamps.’’ Three examples occurred 
during my stay, but I could not ascertain whether they bred or not 
in 1875. I don’t think they did so in Brackish Pond, where I kept 
a careful watch for them. Mr. Bartram has about a dozen speci- 
mens, scarcely two of which are alike, so,variable is the plumage of 
the species. They are ail in immature dress, with the crimson 
patches more or less replaced by mottled grey, but all possess the 
characteristic ‘‘yellowness’’? which distinguishes the bird from 
nearly all the other American Picide. 
Colaptes auratus, Golden-winged Woodpecker; Flicker.—The 
only specimens ever obtained were shot by officers of the 61st 
Regiment in Devonshire Marsh, as my friend Mr. J. M. Jones 
informed me. One or two were shot, in 1871 I think, but no 
others are on record. 
Otus Wilsonianus, Long-eared Owl.—This near ally of our Euro- 
pean O. vulgaris has occurred frequently,. but irregularly, during 
