232 



saw nothing of the lake laid down by him, and judge it to be 

 a swamp. The supply of water from under-ground springs 

 into the river must be immense, for it is impossible that the 

 springs at the source could furnish such a quantity of fresh 

 water. The tide at the entrance of Swan River was not observed 

 to rise above two feet, even at spring tides, and at the source 

 it was hardly observable. 



The climate during our stay was the most delightful I ever 

 experienced J the thermometer seldom ranging above 85 . 

 The nights agreeably cool. The sea breezes set in at 

 two hours after sunrise, and cease at sunset, when they are 



* 



immediately succeeded by the land breeze, which, even m 

 February, is so agreeable that, while surveying the river, ^6 

 preferred sleeping in the open air to lodging in tents. 



The quantity of black swans, ducks, pelicans, and aquatic 

 birds seen on the river was truly astonishing. Without any 

 exaggeration, I have seen a number of black swans which 

 could not be estimated at less than five hundred rise at once, 

 exhibiting a spectacle which, if the size and colour of the 

 bird be taken into account, and the noise' and rustling occa- 

 sioned by the flapping of their wings, previous to their rising, j 

 is quite unique in its kind. We frequently had from twelve 

 to fifteen of them in the boats, and the crews thought nothing 

 of devouring eight roasted swans in a day. The animals are ^ 

 the same as in New South Wales: the Kangaroo, E^^^ 

 Native dog, &c. &c. Fish were abundant, and the sound 

 swarmed with Tiger Sharks. 



The few natives which we saw were not disposed to behave 

 ill ; on the contrary, they seemed alarmed much at first, but 

 soon gained confidence. We gave them some black swans, 

 which they eagerly accepted, and we dressed several of them 

 in the old jackets of our marines. They had indeed a rn^f 

 ludicrous appearance, and seemed like men in shackles- I* |^ 

 worthy of remark, that these savages have no means of n^^' 

 gation, and rather show a horror of the water. Their a^^is 

 are the same as those of the natives of New South Wales, 

 their clothing and appearance equally loathsome. 

 ' The advantages which this country holds out to settlers, 



