1846.] BIRD ISLAND. 149 



utterly incapacitated for flight ; and being found in this 

 state, fluttering for life, was brought to me. As the 

 island was covered with the skeletons of large birds, it is 

 to be presumed that they suffer the same fate, worse 

 than that of the fabled Upas, as there, life becomes sud- 

 denly extinct, whereas this becomes a lingering death by 

 starvation, and vain efforts at release; unless some 

 knowing, superannuated bird of prey should take up his 

 quarters beneath the trees. Bird Island is surrounded 

 by a reef, which projects northerly about one mile, and 

 south-westerly, about two. Four miles north of it, is a 

 reef, with four rocks shewing above water, but the 

 channel betwen it and Bird Island is safe by day. The 

 dangers outside of it have not been examined. 



Here the rivers contained between Sampanmangio 

 and Labuan terminate. 



