PIGEON HOUSE. 307 



the western extreme of Grant Island. Pursuing 

 our course to the eastward, we were detained by 

 contrary winds for some time among the islands at 

 the eastern entrance of the Strait. All these we 

 found to be considerably out in position, shewing 

 the necessity of an accurate survey. We were 

 exceedingly delighted when on the 5th we were 

 enabled fairly to turn our back on Bass Strait, that 

 region of storms, which stretched behind us as we 

 receded like a black mass resting on the horizon. 

 A strong south-wester soon carried us far away from 

 it in the direction we had been so long endeavour- 

 ing to pursue. 



At noon on the 8th, we were close in with the 

 land in the neighbourhood of Jervis Bay. A long 

 line of cliffs fronts the shore ; but the highlands 

 recede as in the neighbourhood of Sydney, leaving 

 a low tract of country between them and the sea. 



To the S.W. of this bay, we had an excellent view 

 of that singular landmark, which Captain Cook, 

 with his usual felicity in the choice of names, called 

 the Pigeon House. It was just open of the south 

 end of some table lands, and resembled a cupola 

 superimposed upon a large dome. 



Next day in the forenoon, we again arrived at 

 Sydney ; where we remained from March 10th to 

 May 21st, employing the time in completing our 

 charts, sending home tracings of them, and prepar- 

 ing for our cruise on the Northern coast. I was 

 glad to find the return meridian distance between 



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