g THE BIRDS OF THE BERMUDAS. 
few grapes or wall fruits grown in Bermuda to attract these mis- 
chievous birds, they are not looked upon with the same disfavour 
as in the United States. A 
Sazicola enanthe, Wheatear.—This bird, a waif and a stray from 
Europe, vid Greenland, to the American continent, has actually 
found its way to these remote islands. One was shot by an officer 
of the garrison, near the lighthouse, on October 5th, 1846; the 
tail, unfortunately, was the only portion preserved, but this was 
sent to the late Mr. Yarrell, who confirmed its identity. Another 
was seen frequently by Col. Drummond and Major Wedderburn, 
near St. George’s, in March, 1850, but baffled all their attempts to 
obtain it. "Whether these two examples came direct from Green- 
land, or were blown off the American coast, is an inscrutable 
mystery. 
Sialia sialis, Eastern Blue Bird.——Resident, and very common. 
It is also migratory, arriving in small flocks after heavy gales in 
the winter months. Major Wedderburn observed them in large 
flocks at Ireland Island on January 5th, 1848; and my friend Mr. 
J. M. Jones records their appearance in smaller bands in the 
- Novembers of 1866 and 1871. I have frequently noticed a sudden 
increase in the numbers of this species in winter, but the visitors 
appear to leave again in the early spring, taking with them doubt- 
less some of their ’Mudian brethren, for no perceptible accession of 
strength is apparent during the ensuing summer. This is, to my 
mind, the most delightful of birds, and certainly the flower of the 
limited flock of Bermuda residents; its brilliant plumage, vivacious 
manners, and pleasant warble, render it an object of interest to 
all; while its confiding and fearless nature in the breeding season, 
and the number of noxious insects it destroys, cause it to be 
strictly protected throughout the islands. The male bird in 
spring, when the sun’s rays illumine his dazzling blue plumage, is 
perfectly lovely: he flashes across the road like a ray of azure 
light, and seems actually to blaze with intense colour from among 
the sombre foliage of the cedars. His spouse is far more sober in 
her attire; but she too puts on nuptial attire and looks uncom- 
monly smart in April and May, when she acquires an unusually 
vivid blue, and much suffusion of reddish brown about the head. 
I accidentally shot one in this plumage one afternoon, thinking it 
was a stranger, so much did it differ from the ordinary female. 
They breed twice, and, I believe, in some cases thrice: I have seen 
fresh eggs on April 4th, and as late as June 19th. Eggs four or 
five, delicate pale blue, unspotted, -85 in. by *68 in. Nest of 
grasses and bents, in all manner of places. I have found them 
commonly in holes in old quarries or roadside cuttings; also in 
crevices of walls; in rocks, even when some little distance from 
the shore; in holes in trees;' on the branches of trees; in stove 
and water pipes; in calabashes, boxes, &c., hung up for them in 
the verandahs of houses; in the folds of a canvas awning outside 
the door of one of the officers’ quarters at Prospect Camp; and in 
several other curious situations. The female sits close, and I have _ 
caught her on the nest. The young are strikingly spotted till 
their first moult. The males sing much in the early morning in 
