664 A. E. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. 
called “ Ravens.” There can scarcely be a doubt but that they 
were Turkey Buzzards. These birds, like other vultures, have often 
been observed to appear during the time of fatal epidemics in other 
places. During the epidemic of yellow fever in Bermuda, in 1853, 
a specimen of the Turkey Buzzard was shot and examined by Mr. 
Hurdis. Capt. Smith’s account is as follows : 
‘About this time or immediately before, came in a company of 
Ravens, which continued amongst them all the time of this mortality 
and then departed, which for any thing knowne, neither before nor 
Figure 43.—Turkey Buzzard (Cathartes aura). 
since, were ever seene or heard of ; this with divers other reasons 
‘caused Master More to goe out to Sea, toseeif he could discover any 
other Islands, but he went not farre ere ill weather forced him 
backe ; and it were a noble adventure of him would undertake to 
make more perfect all the dangers are about the Summer Iles.” 
I have seen no record of this bird appearing in Bermuda since 
1853, but probably it flies near the islands not infrequently, without 
attracting attention. 
None of the early writers mention any birds corresponding to 
the Ground Dove or the Quail, both of which are common and 
familiar. Therefore it is probable that they were introduced in later 
times. (See ch. 34.) 
Nor do those quoted above mention a parrot. But this would not 
be strange, in case a species of shy and retiring habits had existed. 
Governor Roger Wood, in a letter written about 1632, refers to 
four parrots that his wife was sending by the ship to a friend in 
England, as follows : 
“My wiffe hath sent 4 Parrats in a cage unto my Lady, to bee 
either kept for your Honor’s pleasure to looke upon, or to give unto 
who your Honor please who takes delight in keeping of them. The 
