144 GREAT NICOBAR— WEST COAST 



southward, we reached the shore of Casuarina Bay, so named from 

 the long grove of dark-foliaged trees that extends right along the 

 coast. All round the head of the bay white surf rolled on the flat 

 sandy beach, but there was a fair landing-place within the point, 

 protected by a reef, and free from breakers. 



" Before returning to the village we shot a number of tupais, 

 some sunbirds, and a serpent-eagle. The local dogs all wore a 

 large coconut slung loosely about the neck. This heavy burden- 

 ing would hardly meet with the approval of the S.P.C.A. ; but it 

 prevents the dogs from chasing sows and their litters, and is a 

 most effective hobble, as it hangs right between the fore-legs, 



" Darkness was approaching as we passed through the village, 

 and the fowls were all retiring to rest in the branches of the trees 

 — a return to early habits that they may indulge in with security 

 in these islands, where no mammal more dangerous than the 

 monkey exists. 



"The boat soon came off to fetch us in answer to a hail, and 

 we returned to the schooner, where, after a bath and a dinner, 

 we settled down to an evening's work." 



^^ March i8. — Armed respectively with guns and camera, we 

 struck inland, at sunrise, along a path running eastward through 

 beautiful open forest. The ground was level, and our way lay for 

 some time within sound of the breakers of Casuarina Bay. Pick- 

 ing up a bird now and again as we went along, we had proceeded 

 some three or four miles when we heard the sound of voices in the 

 bush. We stopped for a moment to listen, and then moved on. 

 Presently the roof of a hut appeared between the trees. " Shom 

 Pen ! " we whispered, and, creeping down the path with the idea 

 of getting among them before they could run, did they feel in- 

 clined, walked — oh, miserable swindle ! — into a camp of Nicobarese 

 rattan -gatherers ; for the numerous bundles of canes hanging from 

 the trees, and the heaps of scrapings, showed plainly what their 

 occupation was. 



" In a clearing about 30 yards across, surrounded by jungle, and 

 standing in the shade of a few isolated trees, five huts stood along 

 the bank of a little brook. 



