THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN. 89 



with it in considerable numbers on a comparatively limited 

 tract of country covered with low bushes of CMlabothrmm. 

 As a rule, it lay very close to the ground, and would not take 

 wing till the sportsman was within two or three yards of 

 it, when it flew off, lighting again at about thirty or forty 

 yards distant. A few specimens were seen on the open 

 ground, nearer the eastern entrance of the Strait, and one 

 or two were also shot in the damp wooded region of the 

 west ; but we nowhere met with the bird in plenty save in 

 the neighbourhood of Sandy Point. 



A fine female specimen of the large woodpecker, already 

 mentioned, was this day shot by Captain Mayne, and one or 

 two small birds obtained, but nothing else deserving of 

 special record in this place. We returned on board to a late 

 dinner, when the wardroom was decorated with Myzodendron 

 and holly-leaved barberry, in lieu of mistletoe and holly, and 

 a large party sat down to the feast, which, in addition to 

 orthodox viands in the shape of roast goose and sucking-pig, 

 was distinguished by the introduction of a parrot-pie, which 

 was voted excellent by all who partook of it. 



Next day I was busily occupied throughout the morning, 

 in skinning birds. In the afternoon I landed with two of 

 the oflicers, and walked with them over the plains, to visit a 

 strip of brackish water, about five miles distant, which, in 

 consequence of its communicating with the sea at high-tide, 

 was dignified by the name of " the Lagoon." At the place of its 

 occurrence the open ground ceases, the woods coming down 

 to the edge of the beach ; and my companions had been in- 

 formed that waterfowl were often to be met with in this shel- 

 tered situation. It was a most beautiful day, and we reached 

 our destination after a very agreeable walk, almost everything 

 observed on our way possessing the charm of novelty. In the 



