CHRISTMAS ISLAND. 349 



tropic birds, of the roseate and white species, 

 were about the ship, although we were then 

 distant three hundred and seventy miles from 

 "Christmas Island," which was tlie nearest 

 land.* On the 7th, boobies, fregate birds, and 

 white and rose-coloured tropic birds, indicated 

 the vicinity of " Christmas Island," which was 

 seen about midnight, by the light of the moon, 

 bearing north-east by north, by compass, dis- 

 tant twelve or fourteen miles. On the 10th we 

 were becalmed three or four miles off the south- 

 west side of " Clapp's Island," which was low, 

 densely wooded with cocoa-palms, and other 

 trees, even to the water's edge : a heavy surf 

 rolled upon the sandy beach, and on reefs ex- 

 tending from each extremity. 



Early in the morning, on the 1 1th, we were 

 off the north-west side of " Prince's Island," 

 and the land wind brought with it a delicious 

 balmy fragrance ; the extensive reef, running 

 out a long distance from the south-west point, 



* These are certainly the most delicate and beautiful of 

 the oceanic birds ; their peculiar shrill, raucous note indicates 

 their presence about the ship ; hovering over the vessel, or 

 darting into the water in pursuit of prey, and as the sun 

 shines upon the chaste and elegant plumage of the white 

 species, or the rosy-tinted feathers of the red species, or 

 phcenicurus, their beauty is increased. 



