234 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 



had been observed at Port Royal (near the lighthouse) on 

 Sunday last ; that great numbers of small birds, supposed 

 to be Rice Birds (but which I have reason to believe are 

 Rice Warblers) have been teeming in every bush there. 

 Was promised a specimen. 



Mr. Hinson tells me he has shot several very fine Golden 

 Plover recently in the same locality. 



Mr. Gilbert (the auctioneer) showed me the wings of the 

 Chordeiles virginianus, or Common Night Hawk. The 

 bird itself had been destroyed by a cat. Two other Night 

 Hawks were observed near Mr. Gilbert's residence. 



October 2,0th. — Sallied forth in the evening with the dog 

 and gun. Flushed three Snipe in the Governor's Marsh, 

 all of which I missed. Killed a Common Gallinule, or 

 Moor Hen, in Mr. Kennedy's ditch ; also a Carolina Crake. 

 Find the evenings too short for the examination of half my 

 beat. 



In passing James's cottage to-day I found his boys had 

 yesterday captured a " Wild Duck " in the adjoining piece 

 of marsh. It was alive in a hen coop, tethered by one leg. 

 From a cursory examination of the bird, I am inclined to 

 consider it as the Fuligula ferina of Audubon, in immature 

 plumage. If so, it will be an addition to our ornithology. 

 The owners of the Duck not being at home, I could only 

 make known my desire to become a purchaser of the 

 specimen. 



November \st. — Walked out to James's yesterday, and 

 bought the " Wild Duck " mentioned on the 30th. 

 Placed it in a large coop on the grass plat, and supplied it 



