38 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 



October 12th. — Wood, the boatman, tells me that he often 

 sees flocks of Plover approach these islands from the north, 

 when employed in his occupation of fishing — that soon 

 after break of day this morning he observed several flocks 

 "coming in" — and Mr. S. Saltus heard a great twittering 

 over his residence soon after twilight, as if a large flock ol 

 birds were passing. They appeared to be going to the 

 south. 



From Mr. T. Darrell (who resides near Warwick Church) 

 f hear that four Ducks have been seen in a pond near his 

 house, together with some Plover. Also that a large bird 

 about the size of a goose had , been killed by some boys, 

 who refused to sell it, and took it home to eat. From 

 Darrell's description of this bird I have every reason tc 

 believe it was a Cormorant similar to that mentioned 

 yesterday, as killed by Lieutenant Orde. 



October 13th, 1847. — Saw the first Ardea lentiginosa, 01 

 American Bittern, that has been killed this season. It was 

 shot at Riddles Bay, and sent by Mr. W. Smith to the Rev, 

 H. B. Tristram. Another specimen I find has been killed 

 to-day by Mr. Ross, of the 42nd. Mr. W. Smith tells me 

 he has often seen the White Egret {Ardea egrettd) on the 

 wing at Riddles Bay, and that some have been shot there 

 these he also saw. Of late years, he says, they have beer 

 getting very rare. 



Mr. Charles Fozard tells me that, about five years ago 

 he shot a Woodcock on the verge of White's Marsh, neai 

 Hamilton. Mr. Hunt Marriott, of H.M. Customs, assures me 

 that he himself saw this bird in the possession of Mr. Fozard 

 and that it appeared to him like the Woodcock figured ir 



