THE BIRDS OF BERMUDA. 
INTRODUCTION. 
It was with considerable diffidence, notwithstanding the very flatter- 
ing nature of the invitation sent to me, that I consented to appear a 
a third time in print on the avi-fauna of the Bermudas, and I trust that 
a knowledge of this fact may go far to excuse my presumption in rang- 
ing myself among the learned professors and men of science who con- 
tribute to this work, and also the numerous short-comings in my par- 
ticular department. I was puzzled for a long time how to begin my 
task, finally deciding to present. as a brief history of the Birds of the 
Bermudas, my original notes published in the “Field” newspaper in 
1875, and in the “ Zoologist” in 1877, thoroughly revised and brought 
up to date, with the addition of the synonymy and measuremeuts of 
each species taken from the highest American and European authorities. 
I fear a long introduction will be considered out of place in a work 
like this, but, as it may possibly prove of interest to any naturalist con- 
templating a visit to the islands, I have ventured to rewrite a large 
portion of my original preface, as follows: 
In March, 1874, when ordered to the Bermudas to complete my tour 
of foreign service, I made diligent and most anxious inquiries about the 
birds likely to be found there, and I must say the answers I got from 
brother officers and others who were familiar with the islands were any- 
thing but satisfactory in an ornithological point of view. Iwas informed 
that birds were few and far between, with the exception of one or two 
common resident species, and a casual flock of plovers or waders in the 
autumn months. My ardor cooled to zero abruptly. I looked forward 
to the red, blue, black, and white birds of my informants, and the un- 
certain and erratic Plover, with a sigh of despair! Should I take a gun 
at all, to lie idle in the damp corrosive climate to which I was bound ? 
However, on board the good ship Severn—a hired transport, which 
conveyed the company of Royal Engineers, to which I then belonged, 
across the Atlantic—I found some officers of H. M. Fifty-third Regiment 
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