CAPTAIN TUCKEY'S NARRATIVE. 31 



loose masses of lava, the cells sometimes empty, sometimes 

 filled with crystals of mesotype. To the west, I observed at 

 some distance a discoloured appearance, not unhke a lava 

 stream, and not far distant from some conical hills, in the 

 direction of the Peak of Fogo ; but the stinted time did not 

 admit of examining if these were the vestiges of an eruption. 

 In two or three places 1 met beds of a compact felspar, 

 mostly decomposed into a white earth. I was also told of a 

 bed of shells among some hills, not far distant from the place 

 named Toara, but which the same reason prevented me from 

 verifying." 



The island appears to be scantily supplied Avith l)irds, 

 either as to species or numbers ; those seen were three spe- 

 cies of falco ; the first a fishing eagle, common at Porto 

 Pray a ; the second ash-coloured, of a large size, seen only on 

 shore; and the third, which was shot on shore, nearly 

 resembled the sparrow-hawk. The small birds, of Avhich 

 specimens were shot, were a fine king fisher (Alcedo), very 

 common ; the common swift (Hinmda apiis ;) a sparrow 

 differing little from the European house sparrow ; a bird 

 resembling the lark ; and a very small warbler, the only 

 one that appeared to have any song. Some covies of 

 Guinea fowl were seen, but too shy to be shot at ; and 

 the common quail was also seen. The greater tropic bird, 



