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iiortli. Same weather continued all day, and the main (leek was kept coiitiuually 

 wet. Bindloe was in sight all the afternoon. Kather ehilly. 



Auff. 2o. — Fairly strong wind blowing, bnt sailed all day without seeing land. 



Aug. 26. — Condition of affairs about the same. 



A'i</. 27. — Still sailing without any result. Our position at noon was 82 

 miles from Tower Island, the island bearing south-west. Temperature at 5 p.m., 69'. 

 Witnessed a most beautiful sunset : the sun a clear ball of fire, descending rapidly 

 into the ocean, the sky all around being a beantifnl shade of red. Saw whales 

 spouting near tlie horizon. 



Aug. 28. Fine day. Came in sight of Indefatigable Island alxiut noon, and 

 towards night the outlines showed up quite distiiutly. Tuwer Island also in sight. 

 lu the evening a light, without doubt a live volcano on James Island, was plainly 

 seen near the horizon, making a beautiful sight, the sky all around being a lurid red 

 with a large blaze in the centre. 



Aug. 29. — I awoke to find the vessel surrounded by land ; James, Indefatigable, 

 Duncan, Jervis, Daphne, Guy Fawkes, Albemarle, Seymour, and Crossman (?) 

 islands being visible. Onr destination was Conway Bay, on Indefatigable Island. 

 A little wind most of the morning, which gradually strengthened. Indefatigable 

 Island apjieared to be well wooded. The volcano could be plainly seen smoking on 



^-'^ 



Indefatigable Island. 



James Island. The Guy Fawkes and Daphne islands were merely good-sized rocks, 

 with some vegetation. Came to anchor in Conway Bay (4i fathoms of water) about 

 o p.m. The water was very clear, objects on the bottom being easily distinguished. 

 Saw several seals around the vessel. Noticed pelicans, frigate birds, shearwaters 

 {Astrelata), boobies, and an owl {Asia). 



Aiig. 30. — Went ashore on Indefatigable early in the morning. Good beaches 

 all along the shore. Found bu-ds very abundant, several kinds of Geospiza, 

 yesomi)nu.i, doves,- warl^lers, flycatchers, Certkidea, and several species of Cama- 

 rhijnchus. Water birds were (luite numerous. Saw a number of pelicans, little herons, 

 boobies, curlews, tattlers, and oyster-catchers. Hawks were very abundant, and a 

 pair of oyster-catchers that Harris had shot attracted a flock of half a dozen. They 

 soon ruined the pair. The island was thickly covered with tall cactus, trees, vines, 

 and bushes, tint was passable in some places. A fine little lagoon near the landing 

 was bordered on two sides with mangroves. The rocks along the shore sheltered 

 many sea-slugs and club-spiued urchins. Weather rather warm. Came on board 

 about II a.m. Skinned birds all the afternoon. An owl fli'w around the vessel in 

 the evening. 



Aug. 31. — Went ashore early, and got many birds. A small rat was taken, one 

 of the three seen. Beck and Hull pulled two hawk-billed turtles out of the water 

 and landed them hitrh and drv on the beach. When the boat came after us about 



