V °!'8^6 in ] Prentiss, Birds of Bermuda. 237 



were all in perfect plumage. The young in the downy state are a 

 dark slate color. 



The Pigeons are always timid, and ever on the alert when 

 being watched, and the observer must approach them cautiously 

 to prevent a commotion. They inherit the instincts of their 

 race in a number of ways. On the approach of a storm the old 

 birds will arrange themselves side by side an the perch, draw 

 the head and neck down into the feathers and sit motionless 

 for a time, then gradually resume an upright position, spread 

 the tail, stretch each wing in turn, and then, as at a given signal, 

 they spring from the perch and bring up against the wire netting 

 with their feet as though anxious to fly before the disturbing 

 elements. Mr. Whittaker has noticed this same trait while 

 observing Pigeons in the woods. 



It was with a peculiar sense of pleasure and satisfaction that 

 I witnessed and heard all the facts about this flock, inasmuch 

 as but few of us expect to again have such opportunities with 

 this Pigeon in the wild state. It is to be hoped that, if Mr. 

 Whittaker continues to successfully increase these birds, he will 

 dispose of a pair to some of our zoological gardens, for what 

 would be a more valuable and interesting addition than an aviary 

 of this rapidly diminishing species. 



NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF BERMUDA. 



BY D. WEBSTER PRENTISS. 



Bulletin 25 of the United States National Museum, on the 

 Natural History of Bermuda, contains some remarks on Bermu- 

 dian Birds. Since its publication in 1884 two species have been 

 added to the Bermudian Fauna, namely the Mockingbird and the 

 European Goldfinch. 



1. Mimus polyglottos. — Six pairs of the American Mockingbird were 

 liberated at St. George's in 1S93, by Capt. Myers, the German Consul. I 

 have not seen any of them in the neighborhood of Walsingham, but from 



