340 NAVIGATION. 



Here the trade-wind is sometimes interrupted, or occasionally 

 shifts to north-east in passing. As the wind veers to 

 the northward and eastward, the ship's course is altered so 

 as to enable her to pass the meridian of Greenwich in the 

 latitude of the Cape of Good Hope. From Trinidad to the 

 Cape, ships commonly experience fair strong winds and fine 



weather. . i ^ , , ^ 



This is probably the most agreeable period of the whole 

 voyage. For the first time the prow of the ship is pointed 

 directly towards her place of destination, supposing that to 

 be the Cape of Good Hope. To the bitter cold of the Chan- 

 nel, — the turbulence of the Bay of Biscay, — the excessive 

 heat of the line, — the comfortless uncertainty of the dol- 

 drums, has succeeded the fresh healthful breeze of the great 

 South Atlantic, with a temperate atmosphere, and serene 

 cloudless weather ; so cloudless that the planets Venus 

 and Jupiter are often distinctly seen during the daytime 

 without a telescope. Here, too, the monotony of the scene 

 is enlivened by the appearance of numerous birds. First 

 appears the pintado, a pretty black and white bird about the 

 size of a pigeon ; it is usually first seen after leaving the 

 tropic. These birds will accompany a ship for six weeks, 

 and fly close enough to be shot in great numbers. They 

 are also caught with a hook and line. Next, the albatross, 

 a noble bird, which is also sometimes caught with a hook. 

 Petrels or Mother Carey's chickens are very numerous. 

 Immediately before a gale, these birds, with many others, 

 assemble near the ship in large flocks. Much amusement 

 is often afforded by a bird called the booby. It has probably 

 acquired this name from the stupid manner in which it 

 allows itself to be taken, as it seldom moves from where it 

 lights, and may always be caught by hand. 



In this route, the small group called Tristan d'Acunha 

 is sometimes seen. It consists of three high barren islands. 

 The watering-place is about the middle of the north side of 

 the largest ; the water is plentiful and good. The landing 

 is easy, upon a beach of pebbles ; the anchorage is in deep 

 water, and not safe except in very fine weather. The lat. 

 of this group is about 37^ .5' south, long. 12° 2' west.*- 



In approaching the islands during thick weather great 



* Captain Owen— Tristan d'Acunha, long. 12° 23' W., lat. 37-^ 17' S. 



