22 THE NATURALIST IN BERMUDA. 



These animals are extremely well adapted to the climate 

 and scanty fare of the Islands, and, from their very great 

 utility, should be more generally encouraged. 



Sheep, of a very ordinary description, are also imported 

 from the United States, and, sometimes, from the North 

 American Colonies, to supply the market. They are seldom 

 seen beyond the limits of the importers' sheep pen. 



Goats are kept by most housekeepers, who do not allow 

 them to roam at large, but usually tether them, with some 

 yards of rope, to a stake driven in the ground, on some 

 grassy patch, where they nibble away through the day, and 

 at night are taken up and secured ija an outhouse. They 

 are generally very tame, and are frequently made pets of, 

 eating from the hand almost everything offered. They are 

 also extremely susceptible of cold ; and when a cool, rainy 

 day in autumn sets in, they shiver all over, and bleat con- 

 tinually, until removed under shelter. The islands are well 

 adapted for these animals, and they thrive on the stunted 

 herbage, which an English farmer would look upon with a 

 melancholy eye. 



Pigs are imported ■ from the United States, and likewise 

 reared in the islands. When fatted, (with the aid of Ame- 

 rican Indian corn and meal,) this native pork sells at a 

 lower price than ordinary butchers' meat. 



Eegarding the rabbit {Lepus cuniculus) Mr. Hurdis sends 

 us the following note : — 



"On the 22nd January, 1851, rowed to one of the 

 uninhabited islands of the Great Sound, in company with 

 Mr. Hodgson Smith, for the express purpose of 'rabbit 

 shooting.' Found several of those animals among the 

 sharp rocks and densely growing stunted cedars, and sue- 



