236 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 



Dolland thermometer outside the front door at 11 p.m., 

 and found it to stand at fifty-two and a half degrees 

 This is very low for the season of the year in Bermuda. 



November 6th. — Shot a fine specimen of the Virginian 

 Rail {Rallus virginianus of Audubon), which was cleverly 

 routed by my dog " Snipe " from a wide ditch thickly over- 

 grown with tall flags. It measured nine and a quarter 

 inches in length by thirteen and one-third from wing to 

 wing Bill, barely one and a half inches in length. This 

 very handsome little Rail proved to be a male, and, from 

 its dimensions and markings, I presume it to be a bird of 

 the present year. This, too, is an addition to our ornitho- 

 logy. It is worthy of remark that, notwithstanding the 

 whole of the Gallinules and Crake Gallinules known to 

 the Northern Continent of America have been obtained 

 in Bermuda, this is the only instance which has come 

 to my knowledge of a genuine Rail being met with. It 

 was in good condition. 



November 8tk. — Observed a Pigeon Hawk {Falco colum- 

 barius) within a few yards of me when working in the 

 garden to-day. It perched in a tall cedar close at hand. 

 This is the only bird of the Hawk tribe that I have seen 

 for many months. 



Hunted the marshes at an early hour from Government 

 House to the sluice gates. Found two Snipe only, one of 

 which I killed. Also shot a beautiful specimen of the 

 Least Crake Gallinule (Ortygometra jamaicensis of Audu- 

 bon). It was found in the thick sedge of the Governor's 

 Marsh. Length, five and six-tenths inches. Carpal joint, 

 three inches. Legs, dusky brown. Irides, bright gold 



