1691-] THE SOLITAIRE. 77 



are certain spaces of Ground which arc covcr'd when the 

 Tide is in, and dry when 'tis out. In this Extent there are 

 Ditches or sorts of Reservatories, which the Sea has dug, and 

 wliicli remain always full of Water, and also full of Fish. 'Tis 

 there that we fish'd with Ease and I'leasure ; for the Water 

 being very clear, we cou'd see the Fish catch greedily after 

 the Bait ; and sometimes there Avou'd be a kind of ]5attel 

 about it, who shou'd bite first ; insomuch that we might 

 catch abundance in a very little time. 



The fishing with a ISTct is not less Diverting, for we had 

 the pleasure of taking a great number of Fish, wdiose Variety 

 was very agreeable. 



About a thousand Paces from our Lodges there was a Creek, 

 which was full of Sea- Water (at high tide), and at its entrance 

 we cast our Net ; so that when the Sea went out, abundance of 

 Fish remain'd dry, and we took up what we pleas'd, letting 

 the rest go, as long as there was Water enough to carry them. 



We had also another Creek on the other side of our Cab- 

 bins, and full of Oysters, sticking to the Eocks. We went 

 often to Breakfast there, and brought some home, with which 

 we made an excellent Eagout with Palm- Tree-Cabbages and 

 Turtles fat. 



Of all the Birds in the Island, the most Eemarkable is 

 that which goes by the Name of the Solitaiij,^ because 'tis 

 very seldom seen in Company, tho' there are abundance of 

 them. The Feathers of the Males are of a brown, grey 

 Colour : The Feet and Beak are like a Turkeys, but a little 

 more crooked. They have scarce any Tail, but their Hind- 

 part cover'd with Feathers is Eoundish, like the Crupper of 

 a Horse, they are taller than Turkeys. Their Neck is 

 straight, and a little longer in proportion than a Turkeys, 

 when it lifts up his Head. Its Eye is black and lively, and 

 its Head without Comb or Cop.^ They never lly, their Wings 



1 See Appendix. 



'^ In orig. : " sans crote ni houpe." 



