312 A, #. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. 794 
It was recorded by Capt. Reid (1884), as seen in a single instance 
in 1875. He thought that it might have been an escaped cage-bird, 
but it is not improbable that efforts had been made before that to 
introduce it here. A considerable number of cage-birds of this and 
other species are said to have escaped from a wrecked vessel, near 
St. George’s, about 1885, and the recent increase is supposed to be 
due largely to that event. : 
American Goldfinch. (Astragalinus tristis (L.) Cab.=Spinus tris- 
tis Boie.) i . 
IGURE 61. 
This was also seen, in March, 1901, and is said to have been intro- 
duced intentionally, in 1896, although it may have come here previ- 
ously, from time to time, as a migrant. Hurdis mentions a small 
flock of yellow birds, supposed to have been of this species, seen in 
March, 1850, but not shot. 
European Wheat-ear. (Saxicola cenanthe Bech.) 
This bird is now common in some places and seems to be fully 
naturalized. 
It was seen in flocks, especially at Coney Island and near St. 
George’s. It is said to have escaped from the wrecked vessel, about 
1885, like the Goldfinch. 
European Starling. (Sturnus vulgaris 1.) 
FIGURE 62. 
Several wild specimens of starlings have been observed at different 
times, and it may now be sparingly naturalized. Perhaps it escaped 
from the wrecked vessel, about 1885, with the Goldfinch and other 
cage-birds. 
(jj 
Figure 61.—American Goldfinch 
(Astragalinus tristis Cab.) (Sturnus vulgaris L.) 
European Skylark. (Alauda arvensis L.) 
Hurdis recorded the occurrence of the Skylark, June 12, 1850. 
He shot one male specimen which had the song, habits, and appear- 
ance of a wild bird. It has not been recorded by recent collectors. 
