to the Island of Rodriguez. 151 



more of the party. The latter boat was manned by four blue- 

 jackets, as well as the pilot to show the way, while we had only 

 two policemen for our crew. As we went inside the reef, the 

 night was spent in poling, and occasionally rowing, and I 

 scarcely got a wink of sleep. Towards daylight we passed by 

 some islets, from one of which proceeded a clamour like that of 

 a distant crowd — produced, we were told, by the '' Fouquets " 

 (JPuffinus chlororhynchus ?) ; and as the day dawned, I saw several 

 Shearwaters sailing round it. From another islet harsher 

 sounds were heard, and these were from the Boobies {Sula 

 piscator) just waking up. I could see many of them sitting on 

 the low bushes, while others were starting off for their day's 

 fishing. How I wished I could have had time to have spent a 

 day on each of the islets, or at least to have visited them ; I might 

 have had just such a trip as Mr. Salvin's to the Keys of Hon- 

 duras (Ibis, 1864, p. 372), and I dare say have got as many eggs. 

 But it was not to be done ; we were bound to the caves, and to 

 the caves we must go. About six o'clock we landed, and at 

 once walked up to the first cave, about a quarter of a mile 

 inland. This part of the island appears to be quite flat, and 

 one mass of rock. However, some stunted shrubs manage to 

 grow ; and there were several of the yellow Foudia about, singing 

 cheerfully, and I likewise heard one of the new Drymceca (?) also 

 singing. The cave was much the same as all other caves — plenty 

 of stalactites and stalagmites ; the width about 50 feet, the height 

 from 20 to 70 feet ; the floor nearly flat, and generally covered with 

 a deep fine sand, perfectly dry. Very little stalagmite formation 

 appeared to be going on at this season. Near the entrance 

 were a few crumbling pieces of land-tortoise shells, which fell to 

 pieces on being picked up. I longed for a few shovels, and 

 a lot of men to dig ; but on the present occasion it would 

 have been out of the question. The length of this cave was said 

 to be three-quarters of a mile, and the effect was very good when 

 we burnt a blue light. We then returned to the boats, and 

 sailed back some three miles on our homeward voyage, when we 

 stopped for breakfast. I had a most agreeable set of com- 

 panions, but they were not exactly suited for such an expedi- 

 tion as I had in view. 



N. S. — VOL. I. M 



