Sydney Porter—Bermudan Notes



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origin. They are formed of coral with only a few feet of top soil, hence

conditions have not been conducive to the evolution of any very

distinctive birds. Bermuda is in the migratory route of the North

American birds and its avifauna is, for the main part, only a

transitory one.


Six species of birds only are resident and the other two hundred

or more on the list of Bermudan birds are merely passing migrants

or strays blown out of their normal course. Even such birds as the

Corncrake and the Wheat ear have been recorded from the islands.


Bermuda is an amazing place and is composed of a great number

of small and very beautiful islands all lying so close together that they

are mostly joined together by bridges. The whole place is of great

beauty and is a fitting jewel in the crown of Empire, in fact there are

few more lovely spots in the possession of the Crown than this group

of fascinating islands. Though not by any means tropical, the climate

seems very equable, the thermometer seldom dropping below

60° E. in the winter, if indeed one can call the cool season by

that name.


The islands, before they were colonized, were covered mainly by

a dense growth of cedar trees and much of this still remains though

most of the larger timber has been cut out. Much exotic flora has been

introduced and the islands now blaze with a riot of gorgeous colour

of which magnificent oleanders and hibiscus are the main feature.

I was fortunate in seeing the six resident species of birds, all of which

are North American. A very great joy was vouchsafed to me in seeing

an old favourite for the first time in a state of freedom, namely the

Blue Bobin or, as it is known in America and also in the islands,

the Blue Bird.


What an amazingly beautiful creature he is : we think him

lovely enough in our aviaries at home, but he is a hundred times more

lovely in the wonderful sub-tropical beauty of Bermuda. The Blue

Birds are seen everywhere where there is rank vegetation, floating

with a remarkably light and buoyant flight usually from some tree to

the ground and back in search of insects. His upper parts seem to

reflect the cerulean tints of the Bermuda skies and the under parts

the brown and white of the Bermudan soil.



