Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/516

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490
THE ZOOLOGIST.

Mr. Bartram's possession were shot in St. George's Harbour in January, 1876.— H.D.]

Xema Sabinei, Sabine's Gull.—Major Wedderburn says, "A single specimen was shot by Colonel Drummond, near St. George's, but the date I do not recollect."

Sterna anglica, Gull-billed Tern.—One only has occurred, taken alive in the R.E. workshops at Boaz Island, on the 29th April, 1875. This bird, which proved to be a female, lived only a short lime. It is now in Lieut. Denison's collection.

Sterna hirundo, Common Tern; Sterna paradisæa, Roseate Tern.—These two Terns used to visit Bermuda annually, breeding there in considerable numbers on the rocks and small islands in Castle Harbour; but I hear they have now left the place, never to return. Doubtless the increase in the population of the island and the continual plundering of their nests have driven them away. They were sufficiently numerous in 1850; but I cannot ascertain the date of their last appearance. Not a single one was to be seen in 1874 or 1875.

Sterna fuliginosa, Sooty Tern.—Of rare occurrence. Major Wedderburn says, "Dr. Cole shot a specimen of this Tern in October, 1846. During the whole time I was quartered in Bermuda I only saw one of these birds, and that in the year 1848, I was walking on the sand-hills, and saw a bird apparently dead on the ground. 1 put down my gun, and picked the bird up, and was just putting him carefully in paper, when my prize thought fit to come to life and flew away, taking me so much by surprise that I never thought of using my gun. It was a most beautiful specimen, and must have been driven on shore by some heavy gale." Mr. Hurdis records that a third example was found in an exhausted state in Devonshire parish, on the 23rd October, 1854, after a severe gale the previous day. [A young male of this species, in curious plumage, was caught near Paget Quarry, and brought to me on the 19th September, 1875.— H.D.]

Anous stolidus, Noddy Tern.—A solitary example was killed near Ireland Island by Capt. Tolcher, 56th Regiment, on the 12th September, 1854.

Oceanites oceanica, Wilson's Petrel.—Major Wedderburn says, "I have often seen these birds flying about near the North Rock, and once or twice inside the outer reefs in stormy weather, but never succeeded in shooting any of them." One was shot by