ORNITHOLOGY OF THE BERMUDAS. 
The animal and vegetable productions of islands always present 
some interesting inquiries. It is a general law, that the animal 
forms are identical with those of the nearest continent, although 
the species may, and in some remarkable instances do differ, and 
are in a manner insulated. The ornithology of the West Indian 
Islands, which we have been endeavouring to procure and work 
out, exhibits some curious instances of one species being peculiar to 
an island and not known upon the continent ; of others known in 
the interior of the mainland, far from the coast, and met with again 
only on a distant island, other islands at the same time interven- 
ing between ; of few of the islands possessing similar ornithological 
faunas ; and of neighbouring islands, without any apparent cause, 
differing materially in their ornithology. 
Though not properly belonging to the group commonly called 
West Indian Islands, the Bermuda or Somer’s Islands, form a part 
of the American world zoologically considered ; and from their 
position far in the wide sea, and being in the tract of the migra- 
tory species from both continents, it becomes a matter of interest 
to watch, if possible, those which rested there on their migrations, 
or if any had taken up a continuous abode. 
We are enabled to fill up this blank by the kindness and at- 
tention of two gentlemen. Lieutenant Wedderburn of the 42 d 
Regiment, which has been for some time quartered in Bermuda 
lias devoted his spare time to the investigation of its ornithology • 
and the Rev. H. B. Tristram, now of Castle Eden, Durham, havdn^ 
resided three years in these islands, attended generally to their 
zoology, and the following list is the result of their notes, observe- 
tions, and specimens : — 
76-1 
