154 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



in this region, while the latter were of two very distinct species, 

 i.e. the steamer-duck and the Anas cristata, which, with per- 

 haps the exception of the steamer, is by far the most abun- 

 dant of the Anatidse of the Strait, being to be met with almost 

 everywhere in greater or less numbers, generally swimming 

 among the broad belts of kelp at some distance from the shore. 

 The plumage of both male and female is compounded of various 

 shades of gray and brown, the latter colour predominating ; 

 and the male is distinguished by the possession of a small 

 crest. We found them rather good eating during some 

 months of the year ; but at others they had an unpleasantly 

 fishy flavour. The flesh of the steamer is very dark coloured 

 and very strong tasted, so that, after several experiments 

 in cooking it, we agreed in banishing it from our mess- 

 table. 



On the morning of the 13th a few Ophiurids of the genus 

 OpJiiomastix, some small Echini and Annelids, were taken in 

 the dredge. "We left Peckett Harbour early in the day, and 

 passed through the second Narrows, anchoring in St. Jago 

 Bay. A very large albatross was observed swimming about 

 at some distance from the ship in the course of the after- 

 noon ; and when we arrived at our anchorage, about four P.M., 

 we noticed a large party of Patagonians riding about the 

 country opposite us. On the following day we remained at 

 anchor, a thick mist prevailing, and the obscurity of the 

 atmosphere being materially increased by the smoke of large 

 fires kindled by the Patagonians on the adjoining coast. 

 Early in the day a party of these people were observed 

 making signals to the effect that they wished to communicate 

 with us, and accordingly two of the officers landed to have 

 an interview with them. On their return, a few hours later, 

 they brought with them a supply of guanaco and ostrich 



