266 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 



during the past three months. As stormy weather generally 

 prevails at this season of the year, it is probable we may be 

 visited by more of these interesting sea birds shortly. 



February 22nd. — On the 19th instant I received a speci- 

 men of the Hawk tribe from Mr. Francis Peniston, of the 

 Flatts. It was recently killed ; and measured fourteen 

 inches in length by upwards of twenty-five in extent. 

 The bill was blue at the base, arid black towards the ex- 

 tremity, with the upper mandible largely toothed. Irides, 

 very bright orange or gold colour. Tarsi slender, two and 

 one-tenth inches long, and of a greenish-yellow. Feet, bright 

 yellow. Claws, long, sharp, and black. Fourth and fifth 

 primaries, equal and longest. First quill feather two inches 

 shorter. Tail, of twelve feathers, of a light 'brown colour, 

 showing five bars of dark brown ; the widest being at the 

 extremity, which was tipped, or margined with dull white 

 Head, back, rump, and wings of a rich brown. The forehead, 

 cheeks, nape of the neck, and line over the eye, mottled 

 with white. Shoulders, largely mottled with spots of pure 

 white ; the feathers showing large blotches of white when 

 raised by the hand. Chin and breast, yellowish white t 

 beautifully marked with longitudinal spots of brown, with a 

 fine line of black or dusky drawn down the shaft of each 

 feather. Under side of the wings of the same yellowish- 

 white, beautifully spotted with brown ;. the secondary wing 

 feathers having five or six distinct, wavy bars of brown 

 traversing them, which became disunited on the primary 

 quills. Tail coverts, white. Tibial feathers, long, mottled 

 with light brown and white, and pencilled in the centre of 

 each feather, like the breast. 



I was so busily engaged in the preparation of some long 

 and troublesome " Returns " when the specimen reached me, 



