126 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 



(Scolopax wilsonii), which appeared to be in its summer 

 dress. Heard from Major Dunsmure that Snipe were 

 heard passing over his house on the nights of the 30th 

 ultimo and the 1st instant. 



October 4th. — Went out this evening for the express 

 purpose of ascertaining if any Snipe were to be found in 

 the marshes. Hunted all their favourite spots, without 

 finding a single bird, save and except the one Snipe, in a 

 certain corner of the Governor's Marsh, which has haunted 

 that corner from the 13th ultimo. This bird I killed. 

 Saw a Green Heron at the sluice gates. 



October 6th. — Mr. Fozard was out early this morning, 

 endeavouring to find the Flamingo, said to have been 

 seen among the mangrove swamps at the sluice gates. 

 Saw a Water Thrush (Seinrus noveboracensis), shot by him. 

 Mr. Fozard killed another of these birds, and reports 

 having seen a Bittern (Ardea lentiginosa). I have heard 

 the well-known note of the Water Thrush in thick swamps, 

 from the beginning of September last. Yesterday, a boy 

 brought a live Rice Bird to the office, which he had run 

 down in the Governor's Marsh. It was purchased by Mr. 

 Marriott. 



October Sth. — The Common Blue-bird (Sialia wilsonii 

 of Audubon) has been far less numerous than usual since 

 the spring of the year. To-day, while in the marshes 

 (looking for Snipe), I was struck with the unusual 

 number of Blue-birds compared with what we have been 

 accustomed to see; and Mr. Fozard, who was with me, 

 remarked the same increase. Indeed, the Blue-bird has 

 been unusually scarce (comparatively speaking) during the 



