NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 263 



October Zth. — In crossing to Ireland Island this after- 

 noon I observed two birds soaring over the Sound at a 

 considerable elevation, which, from their appearance, were 

 certainly new to me. They were of large size, with long, 

 narrow, pointed .wings, and a tail of rounded form, much 

 too long for that of the Osprey. In colour they appeared 

 to be dark brown on the under side, the upper being quite 

 invisible. The head did not project at the end of a long 

 neck, nor was there the slightest indication of forkedness 

 about the tail. These birds sailed round and round in 

 large circles, rarely, if ever, striking the air with their 

 pinions. They were unlike the Osprey in their outward 

 form, and the dark colour of the under plumage was 

 sufficient to distinguish them from that bird. I am 

 strongly inclined to think the strangers were a couple of 

 Pelicans {Pelicanus fuscus of Audubon). Understand that 

 these birds have frequented the Sound for some days past, 

 and that one of them was fired at by an officer on detach- 

 ment here. 



October i6tk — Last night it rained heavily, and to-day, 

 being cloudy and dark, I walked through all the neigh- 

 bouring marshes, with dog and gun, in search of rarities. 

 Found nothing but three or four Snipe, and those single 

 birds, far apart, and a small brown bird, which I fancied 

 was Emberiza henslowi of Audubon. This I very stupidly 

 omitted to fire at as it rose from the long grass of the 

 marsh, and I failed in finding it afterwards. Killed one of 

 the Snipe, which was very fat. 



October i8tk. — Again hunted the adjoining marshes. 

 Found two Blue-winged Teal, one Snipe, and one Carolina 

 Crake. Killed one of each, and returned home, having 



