174 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 



met with ; this latter was knocked over by Mr. Wedder- 

 burn, but escaped in the thick cover of the marsh — much 

 to our disgust. On the north side of the swamp, a 

 beautiful Blue Heron (Ardea cczruled) was pointed out 

 to us, on the grassy margin, where it appeared to be 

 feeding without the slightest dread or fear, though persons 

 were continually passing within a few yards, and attempts 

 had been made to knock it down with stones. We were 

 informed by the inmates of a cottage close by, that this 

 Heron had frequented the same spot for three days. Of 

 course it fell a victim to our guns. 



It measured twenty-two and three-tenths inches in 

 length ; was a male bird, with the dorsal plumes extending 

 four inches beyond the tail. According to De Kay, this 

 bird varies in length from twenty to twenty-five inches. 



During the past month I have received intelligence from 

 several persons of a flock of small birds, of a red colour, 

 with short forked tails, having repeatedly been seen feeding 

 on the cedar trees in the neighbourhood of Hamilton, and 

 particularly about Pitt's Bay. I have no doubt, from the 

 information thus gathered, that these were American 

 Crossbills {Curvirostra americand) of Wilson. All my 

 endeavours to fall in with this flock have proved un- 

 availing. 



April 17th. — Mr. Wedderburn reports having seen two 

 Purple Gallinules this evening in the Chief Justice's 

 Marsh, one of which he winged and lost. A Carolina 

 Crake and the Solitary Sandpipers, seen yesterday, were 

 brought in by Mr. Wedderburn. 



April iStk — Learn from Mr. Orde that Captain Drum- 

 mond has in his possession, at St. George's, a specimen of 



