204 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 



spot, for the purpose of verifying so interesting an occur- 

 rence. On making further enquiry on this subject, I find 

 the expression of " thousands " to be greater than the 

 circumstances warrant. Mr. Hinson assures me there 

 were three or four flocks of these Snow Buntings, each 

 composed of several hundreds. 



The Hawk [Falco peregrinus of Audubon), mentioned on 

 the ist of April last, as effecting its escape from captivity, 

 was unfortunately recaptured some weeks afterwards during 

 a heavy rain by a fisherman, resident on the north shore of 

 the island, by whom its wings were clipped, and the poor 

 bird once more consigned to all the miseries of a state of 

 thraldom. It remained in the possession of its new master 

 for about a month, when it was sold to a person in the 

 town of Hamilton, and was subsequently purchased by 

 Lieutenant J. W. Wedderburn of the 42nd Royal High- 

 landers, by whom it was sent to me on that gentleman's 

 departure for Barbados in July last. From that period to 

 its death, which occurred on the 26th or 27th ultimo, I had 

 an opportunity of improving my acquaintance with the 

 character of this interesting bird. The following circum- 

 stances may perhaps be worth noting. 



This gallant Hawk often enjoyed his liberty Tor weeks 

 together, and latterly became so tame that he would allow 

 me to take him up upon my arm and carry him from one 

 place to another. If a dead bird or rat, were held up to 

 him, even at the distance of twenty yards, he would 

 immediately approach, half hopping and half flying, and 

 take the prey out of your hand by jumping up and seizing 

 it with its talons. He was particularly fond of attacking 

 chickens, whether young or well-grown, and had a great 

 partiality for a pair of white Bantam Fowls, and a female 



