238 Prentiss, Birds of Bermuda. [ f^ 



the climate, and habits of the bird, there seems to be no reason why in 

 a few years.it should not be as abundant as its near relative, the Catbird, 

 now the most abundant bird on the island, except the English Sparrow. 



2. Carduelis carduelis. The European Goldfinch. — A number of 

 these birds escaped from a vessel at St. George's in 1S93, and have multi- 

 plied rapidly, until now they are quite common about Walsingham and 

 Poynter's Vale. Have seen a flock of twenty-five or thirty. Thev make 

 a very attractive addition to the Bermudian Fauna. 



It may be of interest to note the six common resident birds of 

 Bermuda, which include about the only birds seen in the winter. 



1. Vireo noveboracensis. White-eyed Vireo. — Called "Chick of 

 the Village." Very common and very familiar, coming about the house 

 on the rose-bushes and arbors, as also do the Catbirds. A ' Chick' flew 

 into my room through the open door a few days since, and I caught it at 

 the window. It seemed quite fearless and pecked at my finger, as I 

 smoothed it before giving it its liberty. They are in full song during the 

 winter. 



2. Cardinalis cardinalis. — Very common and fearless. They come into 

 the chicken yard when the chickens are fed and contest with the Sparrows 

 for a portion of the meal. 



It is a beautiful sight to see them hopping about the green lawn, 

 together with Bluebirds and Catbirds, and would be still more attractive 

 but for the presence of the ubiquitous English Sparrows. The Redbirds 

 began calling about the middle of February, and now, March 1, are heard 

 in all directions. The note is a little different from that of birds about 

 Washington, D.C., being less robust. There are two distinct whistles 

 — the JVee-do, zvce-do, zvee-do, and the Phee-a, phee-a — the latter quite 

 plaintive. 



3. Sialia sialis. — The Bluebird is also very abundant, but I am told not 

 so much so as formerly. No reason is known for the decrease in num- 

 bers unless it is that their nests are broken up and the young destroyed 

 by the English Sparrows. It is possible also that the tree rats {Mas 

 tectorum), which build their nests in trees may destroy the eggs and 

 young of the Bluebirds. The notes of the Bluebird also differ from 

 those in the States. They have a general similitude but are not so low, 

 are plaintive and more varied. 



I am told by Mr. U. S. Peniston that the Bluebird gives notice of the 

 approach of a hawk by a peculiar long drawn whistle, and that chickens 

 hearing it scurry to shelter. The Bluebirds seem rather smaller than in 

 the States, and the colors deeper. 



4. Galeoscoptes carolinensis. — The Catbird is everywhere; — along 

 the roads, in the gardens, coming fearlessly to the porches; in the 

 myrtle thickets — in short, ubiquitous. It is not so much of a favorite 

 as the others mentioned, perhaps on account of its sober colors, but 



