Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/503

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THE BIRDS OF THE BERMUDAS.
477

I shot one as late as the 23rd December, probably a straggler left behind. I also obtained a solitary example on its northward flight on the 29th April, 1875.

Tringa maculata, Pectoral Sandpiper.—Not uncommon in September and October. The first T met with was feeding with a small flock of Semipalmated Sandpipers at Peniston's Pond, on August 3rd, 1874. It was tolerably abundant till towards the end of October, being usually found singly. Major Wedderburn says of this species (Nat. in B., p. 44), "On the 9lh October, 1849, they appeared suddenly in thousands, particularly at St. George's, after a heavy gale of wind; the parade ground at that place was swarming with them, and I think Colonel Drummond killed some thirty or forty couple before breakfast; but, with the exception of a few stragglers, they were all gone by the following day."

Tringa Bonapartei, Schinz's Sandpiper.—This bird did not occur in the autumn of 1874, to my knowledge. It is recorded bv Major Wedderburn, and is, I believe, sufficiently numerous at times, especially, in the Great Sound and Castle Harbour.

Tringa maritima, Purple Sandpiper.— One was seen by Major Wedderburn at the entrance to St. George's Harbour.

Calidris arenaria, Sanderling.—Generally to be found in the autumn months, especially on the sandy beach below the sand-hills, where 1 obtained specimens in November, 1874. One of these I lost temporarily, and on recovering it the next day I found that not only the body, but the webs and shafts of the feathers, had been devoured by a swarm of voracious ants.

Limosa hudsonica, Hudsonian Godwit.—A specimen of this bird in Mr. Bartram's collection was shot near the Causeway at St. George's in the autumn of 1875.— H.D.]

Totanus semipalmatus, Willet.—One was shot by Major Wedderburn on Pearl Island on July 3rd, 1848; doubtless a young bird driven by stress of weather from the breeding haunts of the species on the North American shores.

Totanus melanoleucus, Greater Yellowshank.—More or less common, arriving early in August, remaining for a month or so. Much in request among the energetic sportsmen who brave the heat and mosquitoes for the sake of a "bag" of "snippets."

Its quadruple note, "thew-thew-thew-thew," is very loud and striking. Mr. Hurdis mentions one killed when on its northward migration, on the 5th June, 1852. Another was shot by