HOWICK ISLES. Ill 



tempted. Opposite the ship we landed on a small 

 sandy^ bushy portion of the island, slightly elevated, 

 fronted by the reef, and backed by mangroves. 

 We found here the usual indications of occasional 

 visits of the natives in a pit dug* as a well, and 

 numerous remains of turtle and fish about the fire- 

 places. A few quails, doves, and other common 

 birds were met with. 



On AugTist 18th we removed to an anchorage 

 under No. VI., the second largest of the group. 

 With the exception of a sandy, grassy plain, half a 

 mile in length, the whole of the island is densely 

 covered with mangroves, and fring'ed with a reef of 

 coral, chiefly dead. Great numbers of large turtle- 

 shells, were scattered about, shewing the periodical 

 abundance of these animals. Another large " vam- 

 pyre-bat," Pteropus fanereus, differing from that 

 of Fitzroy Island, was met with in great numbers 

 among the mangroves, — a very large assemblage of 

 these animals on the wing, seen from the ship while 

 approaching the island, quite resembled a flock of 

 rooks. Here, as elsewhere on the mangrove-clad 

 islands, a large honeysucker {Ptilotis chrysotis) 

 filled the air with its loud and almost incessant, but 

 varied and pleasing notes, — I mention it, because 

 it is the only bird we ever met with on the north- 

 east coast of Australia which produced anything Hke 

 a song. 



Aug. 2\st We ran to the N.E. about twenty- 

 eight miles, and anchored off Cape Melville, a 



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