402 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 



take, remove or destroy, or who has in his possession, or 

 offer for sale, the egg of either of such birds as are above 

 mentioned. 



" The Act obliges, under a further penalty, every person 

 offending against its provisions to give his real christian 

 name and surname, and place of abode, to any person 

 requiring the same. 



" The Act also offers a premium of four shillings for every 

 Crow, and one shilling for every Crow's egg, taken by any 

 person, and destroyed before any resident Justice of the 

 Peace ; but the Receiver-General is not required to pay a 

 premium which does not amount to four shillings at least 

 payable at one time to one person. 



" By His Honour's command, 



" {Signed) R. E. Webster, Colonial Secretary" 



I have quoted the above notice in extenso, with its array 

 of local names of birds to be protected. The first five on 

 the list are permanent residents, found at all seasons of the 

 year. The Quail and Partridge are of recent introduction, 

 and the six following are migratory birds, met with only 

 at uncertain periods. I am not acquainted with the 

 motives which have led to the passing of this Act, by the 

 Bermudian Legislative Assembly, and can only infer that 

 wanton destruction for commercial purposes has been the 

 cause. 



The Kingfisher, Woodpecker, Rice Bird, and " Crane or 

 Heron," arrive only during the autumnal migration, leaving 

 the islands after a brief sojourn, or, at latest, in the spring. 



The " Long-tail, Boatswain, or Tropic Bird," is a sum- 

 mer visitant, breeding on the rocky shores, and disappear- 

 ing in October. With this exception, all the birds mentioned 

 in the official list are pecular to America. 



That the inhabitants of Bermuda should be desirous of 

 preserving the native birds, which so greatly adorn their 



