WHITE— A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White 19 



A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White- 

 Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer. 



By His Son, S. A. White, M.B.O.TJ. 

 XI THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND SAILOR 



Soon after sunrise on Monday, June 14th, 1880, Samuel 

 White landed three guns and a party of the crew wen on 

 shore to cut wood. The collectors went through the thick 

 mangroves, and explored amongst the large rookeries of both 

 birds and beasts. Some beautiful specimens were taken ot 

 the Black-billed spoonbill (Spatherodia regia). Cockerell col- 

 lected several other birds, and Andrews confined his researches 

 to the vicinitv of the boat where he secured a ptilotis or two. 

 A fine clutch of white-headed Sea-Eagle's eggs were taken. 

 \t 11 30 all went on board with the last boat-load of wood, 

 and made sail at noon. The wind kept very light and it was 

 sunset before another of the Cleremont group was reached, 

 and the anchor was let go in nine fathoms over hard sand 

 and mud. Samuel White with one collector landed at once. 

 \ large flight of the beautiful white-shafted Ternlet (SternuM 

 albifrons placens) was seen on the sandy spit, and some speci- 

 mens secured. Darkness set in quickly and the boat put on- 

 to the yacht. Next morning *bef ore sunrise the vessel was 

 under weigh, with a light but steady wind. About 10 a.m. the 

 second lightship was passed (one having been passed the day 

 before) and soon afterwards a large steamer bound South. All 

 the birds procured at the last stopping place were skinned 

 nnd cured, and just before sunset the yacht brought up under 

 Cape Yarmouth in four fathoms over sand. Samuel White 

 landed and went into the scrub, but did not procure anything. 

 Next morning just as the anchor was off the bottom line, 

 native canoes came off. They had a little Tortoise shell to dis- 

 pose of, and a varietv of small things were bartered for seven 

 thin pieces. The canoe was different to those found further 

 routh, it was a "dug-out" about 18 feet long, and about 18 in. 

 vide, with outriggers on either side. Those seen further 

 South were made of bark about a quarter of an inch thick, 

 very tough and sewn together with fine rattan, and streng- 

 thened with small saplings, which were sharp at both ends and 

 about 10 or 12 feet long, by about two feet six inches wide, 

 with about two feet depth, and propelled by short, broad 

 T addles. In a note my father says, "About ten o'clock 

 to-day we passed a low sandy island to leeward, 

 when we saw the schooner 'Rover 1 lying at 



