BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 
io 5 
issuing from its hiding-places when night has set in ; then, and not 
until then, does it go in quest of its food, which consists mainly of 
insects. It has a peculiar cry, resembling the syllables, “ chuck- 
wills-widow,” from which it has received its name. It is probable 
that some birds remain in the Bahamas throughout the year, as they 
are merely summer migrants to the United States. 
While at Inagua, I was constantly told of a strange and fright- 
ful bird, that occasionally was to be seen in the town. The negroes 
stated that it never appeared until night, and that wherever it was 
seen, a person in that vicinity would suddenly die, within a short 
time of its appearance. A vessel was anchored near us at the 
time, whose crew were dying of yellow fever. The mate had died 
on shore a few days before, and the captain was then very ill. The 
negroes cheerfully announced that before the mate’s death, and since 
that time, a Death Bird had been seen every night in that vicin- 
ity. My curiosity being aroused, I procured a negro guide, and 
arming myself with a light shot-gun, started for the spot where the 
Death Bird had last been seen. It was a beautiful night with 
a full moon, and I had great hopes of procuring a specimen, if we 
were lucky enough to see one. On the way my guide entertained 
me with accounts of the doings of this interesting species. He 
stated that a few 7 months before, the bird had appeared to an old 
man, whose death occurred a few days afterwards ; also, that if we 
saw it, a death would take place shortly after. I hastened to assure 
him that the last statement was undoubtedly true, and that if we 
saw a Death Bird something would die shortly after, but in all 
14 
