PLAIN BLUEWING. 403 



but very softly. I have met with this species 

 only in Spanish Town. 



The eastern point of Old Harbour is occupied 

 by a salt-morass, immediately opposite Goat Is- 

 land, which affords the principal supply of Ducks 

 to the Spanish Town market; and more particu- 

 larly since the construction of the railway has driven 

 the birds from Passage Fort. The morass borders 

 the little cove called Galleon Harbour, and extends 

 over a small projecting peninsula, where it is cut 

 into natural channels, intersecting each other at 

 right angles, through which the sea flows, which 

 are almost as regular as if cut by art. The surf, 

 driven through them by the sea-breeze, and the 

 frequent passage of boats, keep these singular 

 canals open, and prevent the growth in them of 

 the mangroves, which are perpetually throwing out 

 their bow-like roots, and encroaching on every 

 unoccupied space. It is at the open pans formed 

 by the intersection of the canals, that the Ducks 

 of various species congregate : when the gunners 

 approaching in boats up the canals, come sud- 

 denly upon the flocks, and taking them in enfi- 

 lade, bring down numbers at a shot. 



