A CYCLONE 83 



wild cries of whimbrels and great numbers of other 

 wading birds, and terns could be seen flying round 

 the ship. At early dawn a tern was blown against 

 the rigging so fiercely that one of its wings was 

 completely ripped away. 



In the morning the sea was stiU as high as during 

 the previous night, and as far as the eye 

 could see enormous quantities of birds — terns, 

 whimbrels, little stints, curlew-sandpipers — were 

 flpng round the ship in flocks, though none came 

 aboard. Later in the day common swallows* 

 appeared, as also did a large harrier. The swallows 

 came on board at dusk and crowded together on the 

 top of the deck house. A night jarf was also caught 

 on deck. Throughout the day we remained 

 hove to, and it was impossible to ascertain our 

 position owing to the thick mist which hung over 

 the sea. We knew that somewhere on our star- 

 board side there was a small coral island, Bassas 

 da India, while to port was the coast of Africa. 

 Suddenly, however, about two o'clock in the 

 afternoon, the wind dropped, and, the fog lifting 

 for a few minutes, we obtained a glimpse of the 

 Mozambique coast. After this we got under steam 

 again, and continued on our course for the Comoro 

 Islands, 



Two hours later an open boat was sighted, 

 and we steamed for it. It proved to be a fishing 

 boat full of natives, who had been blown out from 



* Hirundo ruatica. t Caprimulgus unwini. 



