254 



Bangs and Bradlee, Birds of Bermuda. 



TAuk 



Ljuly 



Characters. — Much smaller throughout than G. carolinensis. Wing 

 and tail shorter. Primaries much shortened, in the closed wing extend- 

 ing only about 15 mm. beyond secondaries. All the wing feathers, pri- 

 maries, secondaries and tertials much narrower than in G. carolinensis. 

 Rectrices also narrower. Bill shorter and more slender, culmen slightly 

 less decurx-ed. Coloi's about the same, perhaps averaging slightly darker 

 gray below. 



Measti rements. 



Five specimens were taken at Hamilton in November, Decem- 

 ber, January and March. In general appearance the Bermuda 

 Catbird much resembles true G. carolinensis., but on closer exam- 

 ination one is at once struck by the peculiar wing, with its short 

 primaries and narrow feathers. The tail is also much shorter and 

 corhposed of much narrower feathers. The shortening of the 

 wing is a common character in island birds of feeble flight, that 

 are no longer called upon to perform long migrations. In the 

 Catbird of Bermuda it is carried to a great extent, and the wing 

 has a very feeble look. 



The Bermuda Catbird has habits and notes very similar to those 

 of the Catbird of the continent. It is very common about the 

 houses and gardens. 



Sialia sialis {Linn.). 



Bluebird. 



The resident Bluebird of Bermuda does not differ to any appre- 

 ciable extent, from that of the continent of North America gener- 

 ally. Perhaps it averages rather brighter, clearer blue, less 

 purplish above, and the blue seems to be slightly more extended 



