ULLOA*S VOYAGE TO SOUTH AMERICA. 603 



iflands in fuch large and thick flights as totally to cover them, and fly towards the fea 

 for an hour or two, without any vifible decreafe of their number. When at fome dif- 

 tance from the land they divide themfelves, and begin their fifliing in a very entertain- 

 ing manner. They fly in a circle at a confiderable height above the water, and, on 

 feeing a fiflij they dart down with their beak foremoft and their wings clofed with fuch 

 force, that the agitation of the water is feen at a diflance ; after which, they rife again 

 into the air, and devour the fifli. Sometimes they remain a coniiderable time under 

 water, and rife at fome diflance from the place where they fell, doubtlefs becaufe the 

 fifli has endeavoured to efcape, thus difputing celerity with them in their own element. 

 They are continually feen in the place they frequent, fome watching in gyrations, fome 

 darting down, others rifmg with their prey ; while their great numbers render this con- 

 fufion diverting to the fpeftator. When they are either tired or fatisfied, they alight 

 upon the waves, and, at fun-fet, forming themfelves into one body, withdraw to the 

 iflands where they pafs the night. 



At the port of Callao it is obferved, that all the birds which refl: on thofe iflands to 

 the north of it, in the morning univerfally fly towards the fouth in queft of prey, re- 

 turning in the evening to their place of reft ; when the middle of the flight is over the 

 harbour, neither the beginning nor end can be feen, and the whole flock take up two 

 or three hours in pafllng over. 



Though fliell-fifli are very fcarce along this coafl:, fome are found near Callao; 

 particularly a kind, the fliell of which refembles that of a mufcle, though much larger. 

 The fifli itfelf has more the appearance of an oyfl:er, and much the fame tafl:e. 



The wines at Lima are of different forts, white, red, and dark red : and of each * 

 fort fome are very generous and delicious. They are imported from the coafl:s of Nafca, 

 Pifco, Lucumba, and Chili ; but the latter produces the befl;, and among them fome 

 mufcadel. The wine of Nafca is white, and has the leaft: demand of any, being in- 

 ferior to the others, both in quality and tafl:e. That from Pifco has the greateft fale ; 

 and, from the fame place, come all the brandies, either ufed at Lima or exported ; no 

 rum being either made or ufed here. 



Moft of the dried fruits are brought from Chili ; and, by means of the trade carried 

 on between the two kingdoms, Lima is fupplied with all manner of fruits known in 

 Spain, as almonds, walnuts, filberts, pears, apples, &c. fo that their tables cannot, in 

 this refpeft, fail of plenty and elegance, having at one time the fruits of the different 

 feafons, both of America and Europe. But amidft this plenty, every thing is very 

 dear, the price being four or five times as much as at Quito, bread only excepted. 

 Wine, oil, and dried fruits, are fome of the cheapefl:. The poor clafs, however, as 

 the negroes and other cafts, live tolerably well, fifli, which is little efl:eemed by the 

 opulent, felling at a low price ; the fame may be faid of mutton and beef, with regard 

 to the nihabitants of this country in general.* 



Sweetmeats are alfo here in the fame plenty as in the other parts of South America, 

 though feldom eaten, except as deferts, and even then very moderately. Infl:ead of 

 chocolate, mate or Paraguay tea is generally ufed, and prepared twice a day. Though 

 this has here the defed already obferved, it is better prepared than in any other 

 part. 



* A quarter of their beft beef may be bought for eight rials (3s, 7d, fterling) ; the hide of a bcaft 

 being, commonly, of more value than the carcafe. A. 



4« 3, 



CHAP. 



