TO KAMTSCHATKA. 147 



grove, which we could plainly discern, seemed to 

 us to rise from the surface of the water. The 

 greatest distance at which this island can be seen 

 from the mast-head is ten miles ; and, as we had 

 always been accustomed to see nothing but high 

 land, this contrast made a very singular impression 

 on us. We now doubled the north point, at the 

 distance of a mile and a half; we found the whole 

 island covered with thick bushes, in the middle of 

 which a small lake had a pleasing effect ; the shore 

 was surrounded with coral reefs, and the surf ap- 

 peared so violent, that it seemed impossible to 

 effect a landing. As soon as the sun had disap- 

 peared, we quitted this lovely island, which is 

 seven miles long, from N.W. to S.E., and tacked 

 during the whole night under few sails, in order to 

 look at it once more at day-break. The wind 

 varied from N. to N.E., and it is difficult to ascer- 

 tain why the trade-wind changes its general 

 direction here, as no high land is near. All the 

 sea-fowl went to the island at sunset, and returned 

 again at the morning twilight. I believe that I 

 may affirm, from my repeated experience, that 

 navigators may conclude the nearness of an unin- 

 habited island, when many sea-fowl, particularly 

 pelicans, are seen fluttering about; which, how- 

 ever, only holds good between the tropics. It may 

 likewise be remarked, that at sunset they all go in 

 the same direction, (except those which remain all 

 night at sea,) and, consequently, one might follow 



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