NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 2QI 



September 2gtk. — A Water Thrush reported to have been 

 seen near the tunnel which passes under the high road 

 near Hamilton. 



September $otk. — Visited the neighbouring marshes to 

 ascertain if any Snipe had arrived. Saw nothing but one 

 Carolina Crake, which I killed. Marshes still very dry. 



October 6th and jth. — After three months of dry, hot 

 weather, the rain fell heavily on both these days, flooding 

 the marshes, and rendering them too wet, even for Snipe. 



October gtk. — Mr. Phillips, 56th Regiment, shot a couple 

 of Snipe in the Governor's Marsh, the first of the season in 

 this part of Bermuda. Captain Tolcher, I understand, 

 killed a couple of these birds at Somerset on the 4th 

 instant. 



Mr. Fozard tells me that on Saturday evening last, the 

 7th instant, he killed a common Black, Wild Duck in the 

 Governor's Marsh, which he subsequently dined upon. On 

 enquiry I. was told that the bill of this Duck was of a red 

 colour round the base, and that a large round dark spot 

 marked each side of the upper mandible, also that the bird 

 itself tasted strongly of fish when eaten. From these par- 

 ticulars there can be no doubt that this " Black Duck" 

 was in reality the Scoter, or Surf Duck {Fuligula perspi- 

 cillata of Audubon), one specimen of which only has 

 hitherto come to my knowledge, which was killed in 

 Hamilton Water on the 18th of January, 1849. Mr. 

 Fozard's Duck had for several days associated with the 

 tame Ducks of a person named Minton. Failed in secur- 

 ing the head or any portion of the specimen. 



