1774- ROUND THE WORLD. 1(>7 



island, that is, between it and York Minster, the 

 sea seemed strewed with islets, rocks, and breakers. 

 In proceeding round the south end of Shag Island, 

 we observed the shags to breed in vast numbers in 

 the cliffs of the rocks. Some of the old ones we 

 shot, but could not come at the young ones, which 

 are, by far, the best eating. On the east side of the 

 island we saw some geese ; and having with difficulty 

 landed, we killed three, which at this time was a 

 valuable acquisition. 



About seven in the evening we got on board, 

 where Mr. Pickersgill had arrived but just before. 

 He informed me that the land opposite to our station 

 was an island, which he had been round; that, on 

 another, more to the north, he found many terns 1 

 eggs, and that without the great island, between it 

 and the east head, lay a cove in which were many 

 geese ; one only of which he got, besides some young 

 goslins. 



This information of Mr. Pickersgill induced me 

 to make up two shooting parties next day ; Mr. Pic- 

 kersgill and his associates going in the cutter, and 

 myself and the botanists in the pinnace. Mr. Pic- 

 kersgill went by the N. E. side of the large island 

 above mentioned, which obtained the name of Goose 

 Island ; and I went by the S. W. side. As soon as 

 we got under the island, we found plenty of shags 

 in the cliffs, but, without staying to spend our time 

 and shot upon these, we proceeded on, and presently 

 found sport enough; for, in the south of the island, 

 were abundance of geese. It happened to be the 

 moulting season ; and most of them were on shore 

 for that purpose, and could not fly. There being a 

 great surf, we found great difficulty in landing, and 

 very bad climbing over the rocks when we were landed; 

 so that hundreds of the geese escaped us, some into 

 the sea, and others up into the island. We, however, 

 by one means or other, got sixty-two ; with which 

 we returned on board, all heartily tired; but the ac- 



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