PREFACE, 



The Bahama Islands have, of late years, become such a popular 

 resort, and so many people visit them every winter for the enjoy- 

 ment of the dolcc far iiicntc life and magnificent climate always 

 found in those semi-tropical regions, that I have been induced to 

 publish the present volume, with the hope of being able to throw 

 some light upon a subject in which most travellers, as well as 

 scientists, are interested, viz., the many species of birds which 

 are resident or occasional visitants to those islands, about which, at 

 present, so very little is known. I shall commence with a short 

 account of my personal experiences while cruising among the 

 islands, in order to give some idea of the nature and customs of 

 the country, and the best localities for the ornithologist and sports- 

 man to visit. 



Part II. will be devoted to ornithology, giving a list of the 

 species found on the islands, with notes regarding their habits, 

 migrations, etc. 



In the descriptions of the birds, I have endeavored to point 

 out the characters by which allied species may most easily be dis- 



