456 MR. O. SALVIN ON THE AVIFAUNA 



goats may eventually lessen the number of birds, if not eradicate some of the species ; 

 but as so many species resort to the sea-shore for food, the destruction of the vegetation 

 will be of less importance to them than it otherwise might. With a lessened vegetation, 

 however, less rain would fall, and in consequence the increased diihculty in procuring 

 water will operate against the birds maintaining their numbers. 



On the whole it seems evident that the avifauna of these singular islands is menaced 

 not only by open enemies, but also is in danger of serious injury should any further 

 disturbance of the conditions of life supervene. 



With the tortoises the mischief has all but been accomplished. The appearance of 

 man on these islands has been to them simply fatal. They have not only been taken 

 by hundreds as food ; but pigs now roam in their haunts, destined to destroy their eggs 

 and young whenever and wherever they can find them^ 



Br. HaheVs Account of Ms Visit. 



"When I started on my travels in 1862 my plans did not include a visit either to 

 South America or to the Galapagos archipelago, my intention being, after exploring 

 Central America, to proceed westwards by way of the islands of the south seas to 

 Japan, and thence continuing a westerly route finally to reach Europe. Circumstances, 

 of which the chief was the high premium on gold during the war of secession in the 

 United States, which prevented my drawing money deposited in a bank in New York, 

 forced me to change my plans, and to direct my route first to South America and after- 

 wards to the Galapagos archipelago as oflering a rich field for investigation. 



" The first obstacle I had to encounter was how to get to the islands, as they lie out of 

 the route of all regular communication. By inquiries made in Panama in 1866, I found 

 that my only chance of getting there was in one of the fisliing-boats which occasionally 

 sail from Guayaquil and Paita for the archipelago. On arriving at Lima in January 

 1868, 1 was. told that vessels used to sail from Callao for the purpose of fishing. On 

 making inquiries in Callao I heard that a schooner had arrived some weeks previously 

 from the islands, but that, her enterprise having proved a failure, she would not return 

 again. Her owner ofi'ered her to me for sale ; but the means at my command did not 

 admit of my purchasing her. I then wrote through the medium of the American 

 Minister to the American Consul at Paita, asking him about the possibility of getting 



' Since the above was written, H.M.S. ' Peterel ' visited the Galapagos in July 1875 ; and in the Report 

 furnished to the Admiralty some statistics are given respecting the population, trade, and produce of these 

 islands. From this it would appear that there are living permanently on Charles, Chatham, and Albemarle 

 Islands 43 men, 16 women, and 13 children, besides a roving band of some 80 OrchiUa-pickers then working 

 on Chatham Island. Of animals introduced, it was estimated that there existed 2500 head of cattle on Charles 

 Island, 4000 on Chatham, none on James, and about 20 on Albermarle. Of horses, 150 existed on Charles 

 Island, hut none elsewhere. Of donkeys, 2000 on Charles, some on Chatham, large numbers on James, and 25 

 or thirty on Albermarle. Of goats, 300 or 400 on Charles, a few on Chatham, but none elsewhere. Pigs 

 existed in large numbers on Charles, Chatham, and James, but none on Albemarle. 



