34 THE NATUEALISf, IN BBEMUDA. 



under water. As the bird was struggling a good deal, the 

 crab dropped it, and lay immediately below, tUl it was 

 quite dead, when he agaia seized it, and bolted off. 

 Being afraid of losing my bird, I at once gave chase, 

 and speared the crab with the ramrod of my gun, not- 

 withstanding which, he stUl retained hold of his prey. 

 Having lost one of its claws, I did not preserve it, and 

 very much regret not having done so, as the king-fisher is 

 still in my possession. 



Baen Swallow {Hirvrndo rustica). Earely seen in April 

 and May, but sometimes numerous in August and Septem- 

 ber. I have seen it as early as 1st of August, in the year 

 1848, at Hamilton ; and they were numerous on that day 

 at Hungry Bay, and Eiddle's Bay. This species was very 

 numerous in the great flight of swallows, in September, 1849. 



Bank Swallow {H. ri]pana). Two specimens were 

 killed, in September, 1846, by Captain Lye (20th Eegi- 

 ment), and a few were seen near Hamilton, on the 8th of 

 August, 1847. 



White-bellied Swallow {H. Ucolor). A great flight of 

 swallows appeared on the 22nd September, 1849, when this 

 species was numerous, although never previously observed. 



PUEPLE Maetin (H. purpirea). These birds, like the 

 H. Ucolor, were numerous during the great flight of the 

 22nd September, 1849, and an addition to the ornithology 

 of the Bermudas. 



Spine-tailed Swift (Chcetura pelasgia). One specimen 

 only, shot on the 13th September, 1849, and now in Captain 

 J. W. P. Orde's collection. On the 24th of the same month, 

 Mr. Hurdis noticed several of this species, stragglers, left 

 behind, after the great flight of the 22nd September had 

 taken its departure. 



