ZOOLOGY. 79 



occasionally met with from that period to the end of April, 

 it then disappears for the summer months ; thus closely 

 resembling the belted kingfisher in its movements. " 



A number of these herons sought refuge in the Bermudas 

 during a violent gale, which swept over those Islands on the 

 14th and 15th October, 1848; they appeared on all parts of 

 the coast, from St. George's to Ireland Island, and, from the 

 circumstance of fi.ve being captured alive in different loca- 

 lities, it would appear that they landed in a state of great 

 exhaustion. A friend, stationed at Ireland Island, wit- 

 nessed the arrival of two herons of this species during 

 that storm; they made the land from the north, flew close 

 to the surface of the waves, and appeared to be much 

 fatigued. 



Blue Heeon (A. ecerulea). Of seven specimens of this 

 heron, which came under my observation, four were shot ia 

 April and May, and three ia September and October. It 

 may, therefore, be considered both a vernal and autumnal 

 visitor to the Bermudas. Three of the spring specimens 

 were beautiful exemplifications of the change from the white 

 plumage of the young, to the rich vinous purple of the 

 adult bird. 



American Bitteek {A. lentiginosd). In the stomach of 

 one, shot in the Pembroke Marshes, was found an eel, six 

 inches long, a mouse, a dragon fly, a grasshopper, and part 

 of a smaU golden carp. 



Least Bitteen {A. eadlis.) Another specimen of this 

 miniature bittern was captured aHve, by a whale-boatman, 

 on the rocks of St. David's Head, on the 26th of April, 

 1853, where it must have alighted on its flight to the north. 

 There can be no doubt of the migratory habits of this bird. 



