482 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
of this bird given above plainly shows that ‘‘ doctors disagree” 
about its specific identity with our familiar Moorhen. So far as 
I can judge, the two are inseparable, but my Bermuda specimens 
seem a trifle larger than the European birds. 
Porphyrio martinica, Purple Gallinule.—This bird must not be 
confounded with the European P. hyacinthinus, of which it is the 
American representative. Several were obtained in 1849 and 1850, 
in the month of April. Mr. Bartram has several specimens. I am 
almost sure I saw one in Devonshire Swamp in February, 1875. 
The shy habits and nature of the haunts of this species doubtless 
prevent many examples being recorded in the visiting list. 
Fulica americana, American Coot.—Clearly distinct from our 
F.atra. A regular visitor in autumn, but never in great numbers. 
It also occurs on its northward journey, for Mr. Hurdis records one 
killed at Somerset on the 28th May, 1847, and I watched one close 
to me at Basden’s Pond on the 27th April, 1875. 
Phenicopterus ruber, American Flamingo.—One was seen in 
a mangrove swamp by Mr. Hurdis. 
Cygnus americanus, Whistling Swan.—One shot in White’s 
Marsh; the witnesses were living in 1859. 
Anser hyperboreus, Snow Goose.—Major Wedderburn’s notes 
contain the following :—“ On the 19th October, 1848, Mr. Hodgson 
Smith shot two of these birds, in their young plumage, at Riddle’s 
Bay; but unfortunately for the ends of science, they furnished the 
dinner-table instead of the cabinet.” Mr. Hurdis adds, “ A wing, 
pertaining to one of the specimens mentioned by Major Wedder- 
burn, was fortunately saved by Mr. Smith, which removed all doubts 
as to the species it belonged to. In October, 1849, two ‘ white 
Geese’ were observed in Mangrove Bay, and on the 10th March, 
1851, four dark gray-coloured Geese were seen on the wing, near 
Peniston’s Pond. These were doubtless 4. hyperboreus.” 1 may 
here remark that the young of the Blue Goose, A. cerulescens, 
much resembles that of 4. hyperboreus, and that consequently the 
birds seen may possibly have belonged to the former species. 
Branta canadensis, Canada Goose.—Included in the list given 
in ‘The Naturalist in Bermuda,’ but with no information appended. 
It has been occasionally seen, but rarely obtained, in the islands. 
It was observed on three occasions during my stay, one being seen 
on Peniston’s Pond in the autumn of 1874, one in the Great Sound 
on the 10th January, 1875, by the officers of the 53rd Regiment, 
