178 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS 



this morning, and did not exceed in size the specimen 

 obtained on the 15th instant. It proved to be a female 

 specimen, and measured very nearly thirteen inches in 

 length. 



April 2,0th. — During the last four days, reports have 

 been current of a strange bird having been seen in various 

 localities, but more particularly in the vicinity of Riddle's 

 Bay, Hamilton Water, and the Chief Justice's pond. This 

 bird is described by persons who have seen it, as larger 

 than a Turkey, of a grey colour, and not at all resembling 

 the Heron in form or appearance. Yesterday, at noon, it 

 appeared in the harbour of Hamilton, flying very low. 

 Some neighbours, who saw it rise from the front of the 

 town to a great elevation above the water, quaintly 

 described it as " a moving body, of a dark colour, and 

 square form." They watched its motions for some time, 

 and at last witnessed its perpendicular descent into a small 

 bay, termed the " Redhole," where it is said to have dis- 

 appeared with the velocity of a thunderbolt. The most 

 amusing part of the testimony was that one observer 

 described this " moving body " as white, and another was 

 quite sure it had neither wings or tail ! 



I have reason to believe this wonderful apparition is 

 nothing more than a Brown Pelican {Pelicanus fuscus), 

 probably the mate of the one shot at St. George's on the 

 9th instant. It has been seen sitting on the rocks border- 

 ing the Sound, and yesterday was met with at the Chief 

 Justice's pond. Both Mr. Wedderburn and myself have 

 sought for this bird in vain. 



May 2nd. — The flock of American Crossbills was seen 

 this morning by two persons, viz., Mr. C. Fozard, in 



