( 1«2 ) 



of Cove, when we had to lay-to on account of the darkness. Narborough is almost 

 destitute of vegetation, and it will be almost iiu]iossiblc (o do anything about 

 exploring it. 



Nov. 26. — This morning we were out at the mouth of Black Bight ; it took us 

 till noon to get up to Tagus (!ove ; got anchored in 10 fathoms at 2.30 : took lioat 

 and hunted up watering-place, and prospected around a little. 



Noc. 27. — Collected this morning till 10. I shot at and wounded a small 

 falcOD, about the size between sharp-shiuucd hawk and duck hawk. 



Nov. 28. — AVe all went up the mountains to-day, and got forty birds. Saw 

 signs of tortoises ; but they must be very scarce, as we did not see any. 



Noc. 29. f nt uj) birds in the morning ; collected a lot of sea-birds in the 

 afternoon. 



Noc. 30. — Put up birds ; collected penguins and sea-urchins. 



Dec. 1. — To-day ushered in by severe S.E. squall. Worked on penguins; they 

 are very fat. 



Dec. 2. — Collected hind birds. Hull shot a cuckoo, but it was too bad to save. 

 Beck saw another, but could not get it. 



Dec. 3. — Packed birds, loaded ammunition, etc. In afternoon went to Turtle 

 Mount, got five turtles, iguanas, birds, and a mess of ducks for dinner. 



Dec. 4. — Put up birds, and in the afternoon the boys got some iguanas. 



Dec. 5. — Sunday. Kested. 



Dec. 6. — Went to Narborough in yawl-boat to-day ; got about thirty land 

 iguanas. Iris a yellowfsh white spangled with gold, as in some fish. Jluch more 

 shy than Barrington iguana.* Shot foui' Cormorants ( P/ialacrocora.c liarrisi). 

 The birds were in the surf, and very hard to get ; a dozen or more seen. I 

 noted that they appeared to be able to remain under water when they dive longer 

 than any birds I have seeu. In diving they jump out of water like a porpoise. 



Dec. T.^Put up birds in the morning, and in the afternoon worked on iguanas. 

 After supper a bat flew about the vessel, and was wounded by Beck ; but we 

 failed to get it. This is the only bat that we have seen on the trip. 



Dec. 8. — Worked on iguanas all day. About 5 p.m. the English cruiser 

 Leander and torpedo destroyer Virago, steamed into the Cove, and anchored close 

 to us. 



Dec. 9. — In the morning the boys collected iguanas and star-fish, and got cactus 

 for tortoise. In the afternoon the officers came aboard and looked at curios, and 

 invited me to dinner ; also offered to take letters to San Diego. Passed a very 

 pleasant evening aboard the cruiser. 



Dec. 10. — English vessels steamed out about 9 this morning. One of the 

 lieutenants came aboard just before leaving, bringing the commander's compliments, 

 with some novels and paj)ers. 



Dec. 11. — Tried all day to get away, but the wind was too light. 



Dec. 12. — Not wind enough to get away to-day. 



J)ec. 13. — Tacked out on a S.E. wind about 10 a.m. AVind N.W., and tacking 

 to go round north head. 



J )<'(•. 14. — Have not made any headway to-day. Wind mostly S.W., and light. 

 Drifting N.W. During the afternoon we sighted a s(|uare rigger between us and 

 lieduudo Itocks, heading towards Black Bight. 



* These arc very remai'kably coloured, and belong to a distinct local form, which we propose to 

 name CfHohiphuii siilcrittatiis plctm subsp. nov. (sec p. 133). 



