NATURAL HlSTORV OF THE BERMUDAS. 139 



description of this bird in the plumage of the summer 

 season. I understand that Mr. Darrell shot two of these 

 birds yesterday. This is the earliest arrival of the Snow 

 Bunting yet observed in these islands. 



A fine Hawk passed over my residence this afternoon. 

 It appeared in shape, and manner of flight, very like the 

 Pigeon Hawk, though somewhat larger in size. 



November igth. — Visited the Chief Justice's ponds, the 

 Sandhills-, and coasted it from thence to Hungry Bay. At 

 the former of these places a small flock of birds, not 

 exceeding twelve, passed over my head at a considerable 

 elevation, but being charged with large shot, I was induced 

 to fire at them, and to my agreeable surprise one bird 

 dropped away to leeward slightly winged, and fell among 

 the cedar trees between the pond and the High Road. 

 This I hunted for in vain, and much to my regret gave up 

 the search. What these birds were I am unable to say ; in 

 size they resembled the Snow Bunting. At Hungry Bay 

 shot a Black-crowned Night Heron (Ardea nycticorax), of 

 Audubon, in the spotted plumage of the young. Saw a 

 Carolina Crake at Mr. Harry Tucker's pond. 



November 20th. — A large Gull was observed in the upper 

 portion of Hamilton Water to-day. Went after it with my 

 gun, and fired a long shot without success. From what I 

 could observe of the colour of its plumage, I should say it 

 was the Western Gull (Larus occidentalis), of Audubon. 



Note. — To see a Sea-gull in the Port of Hamilton is an 

 uncommon occurrence. 



