THE BIRDS OF THE BERMUDAS. 417 
Only three specimens are on record, viz., one obtained by Major 
Wedderburn in Mr. Hurdis’s garden on March 30th, 1850, and two 
others on St. David’s Island on April 15th, 1850. 
Contopus borealis, Olive-sided Flycatcher.—Mr. Bartram has one, 
shot by himself on his farm not many years since. 
Contopus virens, Wood Pewee Flycatcher.—A single example 
was obtained by Mr. Hurdis on April 30th, 1852. 
Empidonax Traillii, Traill’s Flycatcher.—One specimen is in 
Mr. Bartram’s collection, shot at Stocks Point. 
Chordeiles virginianus, Night Hawk.—I cannot do better than 
quote from ‘The Naturalist in Bermuda’ the following :—* These 
curious birds are sometimes very common in April, and also in 
September and October on their migration north and south. The 
marsh below Government House was their great resort, when, just 
as it was getting dusk, they would appear one by one, and soon be 
skimming about in all directions, uttering every now and then a 
sharp whirring sort of cry. They double and rush about in a most 
wonderful manner, frequently depressing first one side, then the 
other. Although flying close together, they seem to try and keep 
apart, each having’ seemingly its own hunting ground” (Wedder- 
burn). “ When this bird visits the islands of Bermuda from the 
north, it invariably appears between the 20th of September and the 
11th of October, and, on its vernal flight from the south, arrives with 
wonderful precision between the 23rd and 30th of April” (Hurdis). 
Individuals of this species were observed by officers of Prospect 
Garrison on February 20th and 28th, 1875. It would almost seem 
probable that these wintered in Bermuda; but the question requires 
further investigation. They are occasionally picked up dead or in 
a dying condition. One was found dead in the streets of St. George’s 
on the 26th April, 1875, and a live one was brought to me the same 
day. The stomachs of several examined in October, 1874, con- 
tained numbers of the highly-perfumed “ green bug,” Rhaphigaster 
prasinus, so obnoxious to delicate olfactory nerves. For this good 
service alone the poor birds should be religiously protected during 
their short visits. 
Chetura pelasgia, Chimney Swift.—One was shot on the 13th 
September, 1849. On the 24th of that month Mr. Hurdis noticed 
several, left behind after the great flight of the Swallow tribe, already 
alluded to, had taken its departure. Mr. Bartram obtained one in 
September, 1874; but I did not meet with the species myself. 
3H 
