50 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 



consisting of many hundreds, rise simultaneously from some 

 cedars like a flock of linnets, and alight on some scattered 

 cedar trees in the swamp. This is the only instance of the 

 kind I have witnessed here, and it almost induces me to 

 think that these birds contemplate taking their departure 

 to a more southern latitude. Should the wind continue 

 northerly, and the insect tribe become scarce, this may be 

 the case ; though if we may judge from the high condition 

 of two specimens that were shot, they certainly have expe- 

 rienced no want of food up to the present time ; indeed, 

 the gardening operations at this season, when onions are 

 planted in every direction, to say nothing of the multitudes 

 of caterpillars, which nearly destroy the cabbage crops, 

 would lead us to suppose that the flocking of these birds 

 is unconnected with the question of subsistence. 



February ^th, 1848. — Blue-birds still abound in similar 

 flocks. 



Saw another specimen of the Kittiwake Gull {Larus tri- 

 dactylus), shot by Captain Drummond, 42nd Highlanders, 

 and presented to the Rev. H. B. Tristam. It is precisely 

 similar to that shot by Mr. Wedderburn on the 5th ultimo, 

 excepting the colour of the bill, which was dark lead colour, 

 instead of black, and the tail feathers were all barred with 

 black. 



Mr. Wedderburn informs me that Captain Drummond has 

 also sent him a specimen of this bird, which is in perfect 

 plumage. 



February %th, 1848. — Examined a specimen of the Ardea 

 herodias, or Great Blue Heron, shot by Mr. Wedderburn. 

 •It measured (per walking-stick) three feet five inches from 



