%j6 COOK'S VOYAGE TO APRIL, 



A sort of bindweed over-ran the vacant spaces ; ex- 

 cept in some places, where was found a considerable 

 quantity of treacle-mustard, a species of spurge, with 

 a few other small plants, and the morinda citrtfolia ; 

 the fruit of which is eaten by the natives of Otaheite 

 in times of scarcity. Omai, who had landed with 

 the party, dressed some of it for their dinner ; but 

 it proved very indifferent. 



The only bird seen amongst the trees, was a beau- 

 tiful cuckoo, of a chestnut brown, variegated with 

 black, which was shot. But, upon the shore, were 

 some egg-birds ; a small sort of curlew ; blue and 

 white herons; and great numbers of noddies ; which 

 last, at this time, laid their eggs, a little farther up, 

 on the ground, and often rested on the xvharra tree. 

 One of our people caught a lizard of a most for- 

 bidding aspect, though small, running up a tree ; 

 and many, of another sort, were seen. The bushes 

 toward the sea, were frequented by infinite numbers 

 of a sort of moth, elegantly speckled with red, black, 

 and white. There were also several other sorts of 

 moths, as well as some pretty butterflies ; and a few 

 other insects. 



Though there were, at this time, no fixed inhabi- 

 tants upon the island, indubitable marks remained 

 of its being, at least, occasionally frequented. In 

 particular, a few empty huts were found. There 

 were also several large stones erected, like monu- 

 ments, under the shade of some trees ; and several 

 spaces inclosed with smaller ones, where, probably, 

 the dead had been buried. And, in one place, a 

 great many cockle-shells, of a particular sort, finely 

 grooved, and larger than the first, were to be seen ; 

 from which it was reasonable to conjecture, that the 

 island had been visited by persons who feed partly 

 on shell-fish. In one of the huts, Mr. Gore left a 

 hatchet and some nails, to the full value of what we 

 took away. 



As soon as the boats were hoisted in, I made sail 



