CLOUDS AND MIST 69 



getting very low, we were forced to leave and shape 

 our course for Cape Town. 



The steward bought from the natives of Tristan 

 da Cunha a quantity of small red berries which, 

 when stewed, were much like cranberries in flavour. 

 This fruit, which we were told formed the prin- 

 cipal food of the thrush-like bird, is probably the 

 Nertera depressa mentioned by Moseley (ibid., 

 p. 99). 



While the ship was hove to a great many birds 

 were seen, Antarctic skuas and sooty albatroses 

 being the most conspicuous. They were too know- 

 ing or else too well fed to be caught on a hook, 

 although much time was spent in fishing for them. 

 We also saw two very large porpoises, which were 

 nearly pure white ; they played about for several 

 hours round the bows of the ship. 



During the three days of waiting the weather 

 was so thick that, although we were repeatedly 

 within a mile of Tristan da Cunha, we only twice 

 saw the peak, which suddenly appeared from 

 amongst the clouds and remained visible for 

 several minutes, the rest of the island being com- 

 pletely buried in clouds and mist. 



