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auJ brought dowu two tortoises ; went up again immediately and brought down 

 two more. Had dinner and took a rest. At about 3 p.m. we went up again and 

 brought down two more, which made the last of the twenty-nine tortoises from 

 Duncan Island. 



Sept. 23. — Did not get up quite as early. After breakfast I worked a little 

 aronnd the beach, turning over rocks for marine animals ; then secured several 

 lizards. We got the eleven tortoises down on tlie beach. We then put six in the 

 skiff together with the outfit. Beck steering, the mate and myself pulled to the 

 vessel, which had come over from Conway Bay. We got aboard all right, and 

 shortly after the rest of the tortoise and Hull were taken aboard. Then we headed 

 off for Jervis, and anchored at the north side of the island at 5 j).ni. We are 

 doubtful if more than two or three tortoises are left on Duncan Island, because our 

 party covered practically all the part of the island where they would be found. 



Sept. 24. — Went ashore on Jervis Island. Fine beach, with a little lagoon 

 right behind it, aronnd the edge of which we found tracks of a tortoise, but were 

 unable to find it after thoroughly searching the island. There is more soil on tin's 

 island than on any visited thus far. We secured about ll-J birds in all. 

 Sept. 26. — Skinned birds all day. 



Sept. 26. — Heaving anchor in 45 fathoms of rope and chain, and seftin;,' sails. 

 We got through before 10 o'clock, and sailed over to James Bay, James Island, 

 where anchor was dropjjcd at 1.30 p.m. Harris, the captain and mate wentasliore to 

 look for fresh water, which was marked on the chart. They returned in a couple of 

 Lours, being unable to locate any. Harris brought back a skull, a cross, knife, and 

 pair of sandals — part of the remains of a man which he found in a cave. The 

 skeleton was lying in a cleft in the rocks, with some brush piled uj) near by. A 

 cloth was rigged up, evidently to keep the sun and wind off. The knife was stuck 

 in the ground near by. Several walking-sticks, remains of boobies, tortoise, etc., 

 were lying around. 



Sept. 27. — AVent ashore quite early. Landed at a fine sand beach. Immedi- 

 ately behind it was a salt-water lagoon, j)artly crusted with salt. Harris shot a 

 flamingo here. Saw tracks of hogs and donkeys, also evidences of human beings 

 having been on the island within a short time. The travelling was very fair, but a 

 good deal of dry brush made it difficult in many places. Fair-sized trees were 

 numerous. Found Ccrthidea and doves. Several species of Geospha (quite 

 numerous) and several species of Camarhi/nchus. 



Sept. 28. — Went ashore same time as yesterday. Collected till In.iin. We 

 saw a species of crab on the beach which roam about in large bands, evidently 

 gathering food from the breakers as they roll up on the beach. 



Sept. 29. — Beck and Harris started as soon as it was light for the interior of the 

 island, carrying provisions, blankets, etc., thinking that they might remain over-night 

 on shore. Hull and myself went ashore at the usual time, aud collected about 15 

 birds each. In the afternoon the ca])tain, mate, and steward went around the point 

 of the island, where they found the remains of a huge camp — large enough to 

 accommodate 30 to 40 men— evidently the camping site of some Government 

 surveying party. They found broken crockery, an inkstand, spoon, iron hoops, etc. 

 The tent stakes — couches — were also lying around. There was one grave marked 

 with a good-sized cross, bearing initials which could not be deciphered by them. 

 Harris and Beck returned to the beach just at dark, and were at once brought aboard. 

 They had penetrated si.\ or seven miles into the interior, which they jn-onouuced a 



