AMPHIBIOUS FROG-FISH. 101 



coast, and frequently descending to seize, with 

 a sudden dipping-action of its claws, any offal 

 floating on the surface of the sea. It utters a 

 whistling cry when engaged with food, and in 

 habits and diet is closer allied to the vulture 

 than to the falcon family. 



A harmless snake, four feet long, and elegantly 

 variegated with black and white, was the only 

 land reptile we noticed. Turtle are numerous 

 in the surrounding waters, and from Pulo Batta, 

 which is their principal breeding resort, the 

 natives of Soutranha obtain an abundant supply 

 of their eggs. 



Sea and river fish are also numerous. A 

 species of frog-fish, (probably Lophius histrio,) 

 its colour yellow, with brown spots and stripes, 

 floats in great numbers on the surface of the 

 straits ; and a second species, not exceeding two 

 inches in length, its colour gray spotted with 

 black, and remarkable for very prominent black 

 eyes, swarms in incredible numbers on the 

 muddy banks at the mouth of a Soutranha river. 

 Supporting themselves upon their brachiated 

 pectoral fins, they hop about the land with much 

 activity, and on the slightest alarm, hasten to 

 the water ; so that it is with the utmost diffi- 

 culty any of them can be captured. 



Prawns, the size of small lobsters, are also 



