NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 67 



In all other respects like Wilson's description. Both speci- 

 mens were males. 



June 2gth, 1848. — Mr. Wedderburn tells me that when 

 fishing near the North Rock to-day, a Petrel was seen, and 

 fired at, by him, though unfortunately without killing it. 

 It is described as square-tailed, and not forked (Query — 

 Thalassidroma wilsoni). 



July 4IA, 1848. — Mr. Wedderburn sent me word this 

 evening that he had killed a " new bird " ; went over and 

 assisted in the examination of the same. Found it to be 

 Totanus semipalmatus, Willet, or Stone Curlew of Audu- 

 bon. It measured thirteen and seven-tenth inches in 

 length. The tail consisted of twelve feathers, the two 

 centre ones slightly pointed. This bird was killed on a 

 point of Government Island (not far from Pearl Island), 

 in the Sound. It agrees with Wilson's description of its 

 summer plumage. It is the only one that has come under 

 my notice in these islands. It was a female specimen, and 

 very fat. 



July iZth, 1848. — Mr. Wedderburn tells me he shot at 

 a " Black Sandpiper',' to-day, on his return by water from 

 St. George's. Can this be the Tringa maritima, or Purple 

 Sandpiper, of Audubon ? 



July 2$tk, 1848. — For weeks past the weather has been 

 very warm, vegetation burnt, and tanks beginning to fail. 

 Wind east and south-east for the last few days. Yesterday 

 the breeze increased a little ; heavy clouds appeared upon 

 the horizon, and a hurricane was freely spoken of as among 

 the possible events. Last night heavy showers of rain fell, 

 accompanied by the same south-easterly wind. 



