286 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 



August gtk. — Hear from different parts of the islands, 

 that flocks of birds have already been observed passing 

 over on their southern flight. Wood, the boatman, reports 

 a large flock of " Curlew," seen by him yesterday. 



August nth. — Mr. Hodgson Smith called on me yester- 

 day to state that, in passing the pond near Warwick 

 Church, he saw three wild ducks there, which he thought 

 were Blue-winged Teal. Early this morning, Mr. Philips, 

 of the 56th Regiment, visited the pond to look for them. 

 Saw one Duck only, at which he fired both barrels without 

 success. Supposes it to be a " Widgeon." 



August i6tk. — Observed a Swallow in the front street of 

 Hamilton to-day, being the first I have seen this season. 

 Learn from Mr. Trimingham that one was seen by him on 

 the 6th instant. 



August 17th. — Was informed by Mr. Walker that he saw 

 a dozen Swallows near his own house, by the sluice gates, 

 this morning. Observed three myself hovering over 

 White's Marsh in the evening, viz., Hirundo bicolor and 

 Hirundo rustica. 



August i8tk. — Swallows dashing up and down the front 

 street of Hamilton, causing an unusual appearance of life 

 in that thoroughfare. Learn from several individuals that 

 hundreds of these interesting birds were seen yesterday and 

 to-day in the vicinity of Mangrove Bay, Warwick pond, 

 and along the south shore towards St. George's. 



The small Wild Duck is still to be seen daily in War- 

 wick pond. Thermometer, eighty-six at noon. 



