480 FALKLAND ISLANDS. 



large extent, which are full of vast quantities of bones of the 

 Sea Lion {Otaria jiibata). Mr. Murray excavated some of 

 these mounds, and found some stone arrow-heads and stone 

 fishing-net sinkers. The island was inhabited at the time of 

 the early Dutch Voyages. 



Besides the middens there are plenty of small shallow circular 

 excavations with the thrown-out earth heaped around, which 

 mark the site of Fuegian huts. The human debris is evidently 

 of all ages, and I even found a sardine tin amongst it, perhaps 

 left there by Cunningham. 



The geese at the Falkland Islands are far tamer than those 

 at Elizabeth Island, and seem not to understand a gun, though 

 they have been shot at now for a long period. The Falkland 

 Islands, however, were never inhabited by any .savage race, and 

 the birds have not had time to learn. The other birds in 

 Magellan's Straits, which also occur at the Falklands, as for 

 example the Loggerhead Ducks, show the same contrast in 

 their wildness. They have been hunted for generations by the 

 hungry Fuegians. 



The young wild geese at Elizabeth Island, whilst still covered 

 with black down, run amongst the grass with astonishing quick- 

 ness, and are as difficult to shoot as rabbits. It is no easy task 

 to catch them by running. A brood when met with separates, 

 every gosling running off in a different direction. The young 

 birds dodge behind a tuft of grass, and squatting closely under 

 it are at once safe. It is quite impossible to find them, and a 

 brood of ten or twelve goslings, as large almost as full-grown 

 fowl, disappears as if by magic. The goslings can only be 

 caught by the pursuer keeping his eye on one bird only, and 

 running after it at the utmost possible speed. I had no idea 

 that goslings would be able to secure their safety so completely. 

 No doubt a terrier would find them one after another. They 

 are far better to eat than the full-grown geese. 



The ship was anchored in about 16 successive harbours in 

 the passage through the long Patagonian Channels and 

 Magellan's Straits. The run across from the eastern mouth of 

 the Straits to the eastern extremity of the Falkland Islands 

 consumed only three days. The sea crossed over is extremely 

 shallow, varying from 50 to 20 and no fathoms in depth. 



For the Natural History of the Straits of Magellan, see R. O. Cunning- 

 ham, M.D., -'Notes on the Natural History of the Straits of Magellan." 

 Edinburgh, 1871. 



For Accounts of the Patagonians, G. C. Musters, R.N., "At Home 

 with the Patagonians." London, Murray, 1S73. 



The Falkland Islands, January 23rd to February 7th, 1876. 



— The ship reached Stanley Harbour in the Falkland Group 



