Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/437

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THE BIRDS OF THE BERMUDAS.
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visitor, seldom failing to make its appearance, in large or small numbers, in December or January. They were particularly numerous in 1850. I am credibly informed that of late years they have been seen in considerable numbers feeding on the parade ground and round about the stables, like sparrows, at Prospect Camp. One was seen there in December, 1874. Three, of which I procured one, frequented the Walsingham end of the Causeway in January, 1875. Others were seen at St. George's and elsewhere about the same lime. This bird has not appeared in spring.

Passerculus savanna, Savannah Sparrow.—Only two on record. Major Wedderburn killed one in Pembroke Marsh, April 11th, J850; I shot one at Shelly Bay Marsh on January 29th, 1875.

Pooëcetes gramineus, Bay-winged Bunting.—One shot by Capt. M'Leod at St. George's, October 25lh, 1849. [I saw several and shot one of them at Whale Bay, September 9th, 1876.—H.D.]

Coturniculus Henslowii, Henslow's Sparrow.—"Mr. Hurdis shot one specimen out of a small flock of these birds in Pembroke Marsh, on December 2nd, 1850. They had frequented the dense reeds and rushes for a fortnight previously." (Nat. in B., p. 30.)

Melospiza palustris, Swamp Sparrow.—A solitary example was obtained in Pembroke Marsh on December 3rd, 1849. I saw a bird in the Shelley Bay Marshes in January, 1875, which I am almost certain belonged to this species, but I could not get a shot.

Junco hyemalis, Snow Bird.—Two in the collection of Mr. Bartram, were shot by him at Stocks Point.

Passer domesticus, European Sparrow,—Some few years ago a number of these birds were imported from New York (where they are now numerous), and turned out at St. George's; but many of them subsequently disappeared, probably victims to the cats, which swarm in all parts of the islands. The remainder, however, appear to be flourishing, and in the spring of 1875 there were several nests in the new barracks above the town. A second importation, from New York also, took place in September, 1874, about fifty birds being liberated in the vicinity of Hamilton. These soon scattered in all directions, but about a dozen took up their quarters in the garden of the Court House at Hamilton, and could be seen there daily during the winter following. I have no doubt they will increase and multiply after their manner, and in time become as much a nuisance as they are now a curiosity. I certainly question