THE BIRDS OF THE BERMUDAS. 7 
fine bird cannot. be persuaded to stay and breed in Bermuda, and 
to add its music to that of the common resident species. Major 
Wedderburn mentions (Nat. in B., p. 27) that a portion of a small 
flock of unfortunates, which made their appearance in February, 
1850, was spared, in the hope that they might be tempted to 
remain; but they all disappeared in a few weeks’ time, not leaving 
a single straggler. [A male of this species was shot in Devonshire 
Swamp on November 27th, 1875.—H. D.] 
Turdus mustelinus, Wood Thrush.—Only one appearance of this 
species is on record, viz., in the autumn of 1849—a season also 
memorable in Bermuda annals for an extraordinary invasion of 
Swallows and Cuckoos which took place throughout the islands. 
Both Major Wedderburn and Mr. Hurdis obtained specimens of 
this Thrush, but Mr. Bartram was not so fortunate. 
Turdus Swainsoni, Olive-backed Thrush.—This species also visited 
Bermuda in small numbers during the productive autumn of 1849, 
when a few were obtained. It has since occurred, at long inter- 
vals, in the autumn. Mr. Bartram’s collection contains three 
specimens of various dates. On April 29th, 1875, I shot a fine 
male in Smith’s Marsh, the only instance of its vernal appearance. 
The stomach contained four or five white grubs, and some frag- 
ments of marsh plants. [One was brought to me on September 
22nd, 1875; and another, a male, was killed by a boy with a stick 
in iD Swamp, and brought to me on February 19th, 1876. 
—H. D. 
Mimus carolinensis, Cat Bird, locally termed ‘‘ Blackbird.’?— 
Resident and abundant; its harsh, mewing cry may be heard all 
the year round, relieved in spring by a weak but commendable 
roundelay. After a shower of rain in May or June the marshes 
appear literally alive with these sprightly birds, and a most agree- 
able concert takes place among the males, prolonged till dusk 
should the weather continue fine. On ordinary occasions during 
spring time they sing a good deal, but rain seems to delight them 
beyond measure. They are at most times remarkably bold birds, 
and follow an intruder through the swamp or cedar grove, perch- 
ing close to him and scolding most unmusically ; but when a pair 
have a nest they are far more suspicious, and silently leave the 
neighbourhood of their home. The hen bird sits very close on her 
eggs, but when disturbed darts rapidly away, returning as quickly 
and noiselessly when danger is past. Nidification commences 
about the end of the first week in April, and again at the end of 
May, two broods being reared. The nest is a large clumsy struc- 
ture, built of dry grasses, weeds, and twigs, lined with small root- 
lets. It is very often ormamented externally with rags, bits of 
paper, skeleton Teaves, &c., according to the quaint fancy of the 
architect. The usual site is in a cedar branch or lemon tree, at 
from three to eight feet from the ground; but occasionally an 
ambitious pair will go a few feet higher. Eggs deep blue, with a 
greenish tinge, “92 in. by °68 in., usually four in number. Among 
the numerous nests I examined I found a considerable proportion 
to contain one egg much shorter and rounder than the other three. 
In one case this egg was almost a perfect sphere. There being but 
