NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. I95 



8o°. Barometer fell from 30 to 29. On the following 

 morning the wind was at north, and later in the day north- 

 west. Heavy clouds prevailed during both days. This 

 blow does not appear to have caused any birds to visit this 

 portion of Bermuda, though I understand an Osprey and 

 several couples of Golden Plover have been shot at, or near 

 St. George's. 



A tournfortia bush growing close to my bedroom 

 window is now full of little white pulpy berries, which 

 contain the seed of the shrub. These berries appear to be 

 a favourite food with the White-eyed Greenlet ( Vireo 

 noveboracensis), which may be seen any day feeding on 

 them in the presence of a Hawk (Falco peregrinus), whose 

 perch is within a few yards of the bush. I have also 

 observed this little bird feeding upon the ripe pods of the 

 capsicum, known here by the term of bird pepper. It 

 plucked , the entire pod, carried it into a neighbouring 

 peach tree, and there swallowed it whole — a tolerable proof 

 of the powers of so small a bird in disposing of size and 

 pungency. 



The elevated ground on the. north shore, on which the 

 Skylark was obtained on the 12th of June last, has since 

 been frequently examined by myself and others, when 

 seeking for Golden Plover; nothing, however, has been 

 seen of a companion or progeny to that bird, from which 

 I conclude that it must have been a solitary wanderer. 



October 2nd. — Weather dark and cloudy, with rain. Mr. 

 Marriott obtained a specimen of the Common Gallinule 

 [Gallinula chloropus), shot by Mr. Dill, at the head of 

 Hamilton Water this morning. A large Heron passed the 



