10 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 



the Fuligula marila, or Scaup Duck of Audubon, or does 

 it belong to the new species recently adopted by the same 

 ornithologist, and described by Mr. Vigors in the illustra- 

 tions to " Beechy's Voyage," under the name of Mari- 

 loides ? 



November 2"jlh, 1846. — Called on Mr. Abbott, and 

 examined a Duck shot by him this morning. It proved 

 to be the Anas obscura, or Dusky Duck of Wilson, a few 

 of which visit these islands annually at this season of the 

 year. It is highly esteemed for the table, and from its 

 disposition to associate with the common tame Duck, I 

 think might be domesticated with little trouble. Two 

 Snipe were laying on the table at the same time. 



December 6th, 1846. — Examined a fine specimen of the 

 Fulica americana, or Cinorous Coot, of Wilson. This bird 

 was shot by Dr. Cole, and is th'e second I have heard of 

 this season. I believe it is often met with in these islands 

 during November and December. 



December Jtk, 1846. — Saw another specimen of the Falco 

 columbarius, or Pigeon Hawk, in the possession of some 

 coloured boys, who told me they caught it on the rocks. 

 It was tied by the leg with a string, and from the ruffled 

 appearance of the tail and, quill feathers, appeared to have 

 been roughly treated by its captors. 



December \6th, 1846. — Was shown a specimen of the 

 Duck tribe, shot by Dr. Cole, entirely new to me. It 

 measured (not quite) eighteen inches in length, and was 

 twenty-six inches in breadth. The bill, bluish black, 

 tipped with a black knob and hooked point ; head, light 



