368 Report on the Island of Chedooba. [No. 113. 



retiring wave, receiving from it, its finny contents. Sometimes more than 

 a gallon will be thus deposited in a single basket. 



The uncertainty as to where the shoal will come in, and the rapidity 

 and ability with which the fortunate group take advantage of their oppor- 

 tunity, afford all the excitement and amusement to these cheerful people 

 of a game of chance, and cannot be looked on by a stranger without in- 

 terest. Flocks of cranes, crows, kites, and gulls of many sizes, colours, and 

 voices, looking out for the stragglers on the sand, who have escaped the 

 mouths of the fishes and the baskets, form an addition to the scene. 



The grey mullet of good size and flavour is got from the creeks of 

 the east side of the Island. Rock fish are plentiful, but not easily taken ; 

 when intended to be preserved, they are split into quarters, kept together 

 at either end, and then opened by strips of bamboo, and the whole hung 

 up to dry in the sun. Skate were frequently seen, but none caught, they 

 were often observed to make very high, though clumsy leaps, a feat not 

 often I believe, practised by flat fish. A fish of considerable size from 12 to 

 20 lbs. weight apparently, and in form resembling the salmon, was fre- 

 quently seen of an evening performing very astonishing leaps. They were 

 always quite perpendicular, and therefore appeared as a gambol, more than 

 an effort to take prey, and sometimes extended to a height of 30 feet. 



Of shell fish we found craw fish and prawns, the latter of great size and 

 very delicious ; they are limited to the creeks of the east side of the Island, 

 where also the one in the neighbourhood of the Meug-breng village, 

 possesses truly fine oysters, They are large, but of a flavour as delicate 

 as our own Colchester luxury. They were in high condition when we 

 visited their neighbourhood, and it may be lamented that they are not 

 more generally known, and attempts made to grow them elsewhere. 

 They have been transported to Kyouk Phyoo, and do well there. 



Turtle are common, and are taken by the natives on the sand islands 

 and bays. They are of large size and of good species, but I can make no 

 mention of their quality as food. 



Many beautiful and valuable species of shells are to be found on the 

 flats off the North Point of the Island, where however but little leisure 

 or opportunity of dredging for them was afforded. 



Fowls are plentiful on the Island, and supply the most solid food to 

 which the natives are accustomed. The demand for them by our people 

 raised the price latterly from 18 to 13 for the rupee. They are of good 

 size, and good flavour. 



Of wild birds, the Sarus is perhaps the largest on the Island, and is 

 plentiful. They are common in other parts of India, and are, I believe, 



