130 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 



October i/^tk. — A numerous flock of birds, supposed to be 

 Curlew, passed over this town (Hamilton) about nine 

 o'clock last night. They were heard by several persons ; 

 seemed to be flying to the south. Night very dark. 



October i$tk. — At daylight this morning I visited the 

 neighbouring marshes, gun in hand, to ascertain if the 

 Snipe were still to be found there in the extraordinary 

 number mentioned on the 13th instant. Hunted the same 

 ground and estimate the number found as not more than a 

 fifth of those seen on Saturday. I, therefore, conclude that 

 the larger portion of these interesting travellers have passed 

 on to the south. 



Killed three and a half couple of Snipe, a couple of the 

 Common Gallinules, and a Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors). 

 The larger of the Gallinules measured fourteen and a half 

 inches in length, by twenty-two and three-fourths in extent. 

 The Carolina Crake continues to abound in every marsh. 

 Saw a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and two Green Herons, one of 

 which was shot by Mr. Fozard. The Pectoral Sandpipers 

 also common. Home by breakfast-time, 9 a.m. 



October \6th. — Went out this morning at daybreak to 

 assist Mr. Fozard in killing Snipe for Mrs. Elliot. 1 Re- 

 turned at nine o'clock with four and a half couple. These 

 birds are becoming more scarce every day. 



October 17th. — Messrs. Fozard and Marriott hunted the 

 neighbouring marshes this evening and found two couple 

 of Snipe only, one couple of which was brought in by 

 Mr. Fozard. 



1 The wife of the Governor of Bermuda. 



