32 THE BIRDS OF THE BERMUDAS” 
August, in limited numbers, and is so wary that very few are 
ever obtained. 
Numenius borealis, Esquimaux Curlew.—Commoner, and easier to 
approach than the preceding. Locally termed ‘‘ Wood Snipe.’’ 
A good number accompanied the Golden Plover on their arrival in 
September, 1874, and several were killed along the north shore. 
Both species of Curlew remain but a short time. 
Ibis falcinellus (var. Ordii), Glossy Ibis.—An inhabitant of the 
Southern United States, separated from the European species by 
Bonaparte in 1838, but occupying still an uncertain position with 
regard to it. One example only has occurred in Bermuda, seen 
by Mr. Hurdis, but not obtained. 
Ardea herodias, Great Blue Heron.—Of this fine species Major 
Wedderburn says (Nat. in B., p. 38), ‘‘ Many of these birds arrive 
in autumn, and a few remain throughout the year. In 1846 the 
nest of this bird, containing two eggs, was found amongst the 
mangrove trees at Hungry Bay. The Rev. H. B. Tristram kept 
one of these Herons alive in his garden (at the Parsonage, in 
Ireland Island), which was once seen to seize a Ground Dove and 
swallow it entire.’’? JI made numerous enquiries, and kept a care- 
ful look-out, but was unable to ascertain whether any second 
instance occurred of the nest being found. Most of the examples 
obtained or seen during my stay were in immature plumage. A 
few were always to be seen singly, among the islands in the Great 
Sound and Castle Harbour, being very wary and hard to approach. 
Ardea egretta, Great White Egret.—Two were killed at Hungry 
Bay in 1840; several were subsequently seen, but not obtained. 
A coloured youth described two of these birds to me as having 
been seen by him in Warwick Swamp in October, 1874, adding 
that he shot one, but it was too much knocked about to keep. 
These may have belonged to the next species, but, from the size 
mentioned, I fancy them to be referable here. Mr, Bartram has 
obtained one specimen. [One was shot in Devonshire Swamp by 
Capt. Hussey, of the 20th Regiment, and presented to me on the 
6th October, 1875.—H. D.] 
Ardea candidissima, Snowy Heron.—Two beautiful specimens, in 
full plumage, were shot by Major Wedderburn in April, 1850, and 
several were seen in September following. Thus it seems that it 
visits the islands both in spring and autumn at the usual periods 
of migration. Mr. Bartram has a pair in his collection. 
Ardea ceruica, Little Blue Heron.—Mr. Hurdis says, ‘‘ 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.’’ Several of 
these examples are alluded to by Major Wedderburn in his notes. 
I do not think the bird visits the islands regularly. I obtained a 
beautiful male from Hungry Bay on the 4th May, 1875. It was in 
company with a white bird, perhaps an immature specimen of the 
same species. 
