NATURAL HISTORY OK THE BERMUDAS. 247 



this Plover as very fat, and in beautiful plumage. It 

 appears that Smith observed the bird on the North side, 

 as he returned from the Flatts, whither he had been to wit- 

 ness the launch of the " Dispatch" and on revisiting the 

 spot with his gun, and finding the Plover still there, he shot 

 it. This is the only instance that has occurred during a 

 residence of eleven years, of the Golden Plover being met 

 with in these Islands at this vernal season of the year. 

 Mr. Fozard's authority on this subject I consider to be un- 

 questionable. 



March i$th. — Hear from two or three different quarters 

 that strange birds have been seen, such as Swallows and 

 small land birds. Have been too much hampered with the 

 never-ending duties of my office to attend to these reports 

 by hunting the surrounding country. 



March lyth. — Visited the Chief Justice's pond, Tank- 

 field, and the South Shore, thence to Hungry Bay, and 

 Mr. Harry Tucker's ponds. Then crossed the widest por- 

 tion of the Islands to Brackish pond, returning by the Rev. 

 J. Lightbourne's. Met with a Bittern (Ardea lentiginosa) 

 at the Chief Justice's pond, which I missed. This bird I 

 understand, has frequented that piece of water for some 

 months past. Found two Carolina Crakes at Mr. Tucker's 

 pond, one of which I bagged. Saw the one Snipe and a 

 Woodpecker {Picus varius) at Devonshire Marsh. 



Was unsuccessful in meeting with any newly-arrived 

 land birds. As usual the sea coast appeared to be entirely 

 deserted by the feathered tribe. 



March 24th. — The House Cat walked into the kitchen 

 to-day with a Carolina Crake in her mouth, which I pre- 

 sume she captured in the Marsh close by, though I never 

 observed her prowling in that direction. 



