NOV. 1769 MERCURY BAY 197 
9th. At daybreak this morning a vast number of boats 
came on board, almost loaded with mackerel of two sorts, 
one exactly the same as is caught in England. We concluded 
that they had caught a large shoal and sold us the surplus, 
as they set very little value upon them. It was, however, 
a fortunate circumstance for us, as we soon had more fish 
on board than all hands could eat in two or three days, 
and before night so many that every mess who could raise 
any salt corned as many as will last them this month or 
more. 
After an early breakfast, the astronomer went on shore 
to observe the transit of Mercury, which he did without the 
smallest cloud intervening, a fortunate circumstance, as 
except yesterday and to-day we have not had a clear day 
for some time. 
10¢h. This day was employed in an excursion to view a 
large river at the bottom of a bay. Its mouth proved 
to be a good harbour, with sufficient water for our ship, 
but scarcely enough for a larger. The stream was in 
many places very wide, with large flats of mangroves, which 
at high water are covered. We went up about a league, 
where it was still wider than at the mouth, and divided 
itself into innumerable channels separated by mangrove 
flats, the whole several miles in breadth. The water was 
shoal, so we agreed to stop our disquisition here, and go 
ashore to dine. A tree in the neighbourhood, on which 
were many shags’ nests, and old shags sitting by them, 
confirmed our resolution. An attack was consequently 
made on the shags, and about twenty were soon killed, 
and as soon broiled and eaten; every one declaring that 
they were excellent food, as indeed I think they were. 
Hunger is certainly most excellent sauce; but since we 
have no fowls and ducks left, we find ourselves able to eat 
any kind of bird (for indeed we throw away none) without 
even that kind of seasoning. Fresh provision to a seaman 
must always be most acceptable, if he can get over the 
small prejudices which once affected several in this ship, 
most or all of whom are now by virtue of good example 
