50 Gross, The Yelloto-billed Tropic-bird. [j^q^ 



about that of Halifax, and the latitude 32° 15' 23" N., or about 

 that of Charleston, S. C, and of Los Angeles, Cal. The islands are 

 nearly equi-distant from Halifax, New York, Charleston and the 

 nearest of the West India Islands. The extreme isolation of the 

 Bermudas is a fact of the utmost importance in considering its 

 animal life, and especially its bird life, for the islands lie outside 

 the courses of the great migration routes of the main land. As a 

 consequence relatively few birds regularly visit the islands during 

 the spring and fall migrations. 



The Bermudas embrace over 150 islands, but the majority of 

 these are extremely small and not inhabited by man. They form 

 a long, narrow, hook-shaped group, which if placed in a straight 

 line would reach not more than 15 to 20 miles. The width of 

 this hook varies from one half mile to two miles. The total area 

 of dry land is between 19 and 20 square miles, but the coral reefs 

 extend over a much greater area. From the top of Gibb's Hill 

 lighthouse, one of the two lighthouses of the islands, the ocean 

 can be seen on all sides. 



The vegetation is semi-tropical, but there is a predominance of 

 second-growth cedars, which give the islands an appearance not 

 unlike that which one may see on our own New England coast 

 (Plate III, fig. 1). The majority of the larger islands are covered 

 with these cedars, among which are interspersed clusters of pal- 

 metto palms. In the parks and private estates there are culti- 

 vated many trees, such as the royal, sago, cocoanut and grugu 

 palms, the royal poinceana, the rubber tree, the pawpaw, etc. 

 These give a decidedly tropical effect to certain sections of the 

 islands. Since only a small part of the land is under cultivation, 

 there are many neglected areas where the vegetation takes its own 

 course, thus forming ideal resorts and nesting sites for many of 

 the land birds. Along the low-lying shores of some of the inlets 

 and bays are narrow but impenetrable thickets of mangroves, 

 which are also a rendezvous for many birds, especially during 

 the hot hours of the day. Mention should also be made of the 

 luxuriant oleanders, which are in the prime of their beauty and 

 fragrance during June and July. There are few features of the 

 vegetation which contribute more to make these beautiful islands 

 charming and attractive. 



