344 FROM CALIFORNIA TO 



very good marksmen. Mr. Beckly mentioned to 

 me a species of wild duck, such as we have in 

 Europe, which come here in January, from the 

 north, and brood here, and return home in the 

 beginning of spring. This information, which I 

 could not doubt, as Beckly, from his love of the 

 chase, often remains for days on this lake, led me 

 to suppose that there must be some undiscovered 

 land in about latitude 45°, whence these birds of 

 passage come ; for it is scarcely possible to imagine, 

 that they should come the long way from the 

 Aleutian islands, or North America, to enjoy here 

 a second summer. 



After having partaken of some refreshment, we 

 again ascended a high mountain, and were, soon 

 afterwards, in a beautifully-cultivated plain, among 

 taro fields, sugar plantations, and banana trees. 

 At this distance from Hana-rura, the capital, we 

 were objects of the greatest curiosity to the in- 

 habitants. A pretty little girl, about six years old, 

 tripped fearlessly around us, and called to the 

 others, who were older, but much more timid: 

 " Come here, and look at these strange white men ; 

 what handsome tapa they have on, and what bright 

 things they wear ! Don't be so foolish, come here !" 

 I was pleased with the simplicity of this child, 

 and hung a string of beads round her neck, an or- 

 nament which embarrassed her. The other children 

 now came up to express their admiration, by clap- 

 ping their hands, while she regarded iierself with 



