284 



SURVEY OF THE COAST. 



[1828. 



wild dogs, baboons, hogs, hares, ant-bears, or ground-hogs, porcupines, 

 hedgehogs, and a variety of monkeys. Among the feathered tribes 

 are eagles, vultures, kites, pelicans, flamingoes, spoonbills, cranes, 

 ibises, wild geese and ducks, teals, snipes, quails, bustards, and par- 

 tridges. Turtle-doves of many sorts, thrushes, humming-birds, and 

 an immense variety of other small birds, of the most exquisitely beau- 

 tiful plumage, are found in the woods ; but I heard none of them sing. 

 It is a common saying, however, that " in South Africa flowers have 

 no smell, birds no song, rivers no fish." But there is no rule without 

 an exception ; as fish are found in some of the rivers, and some of 

 these beautiful birds may have delightful notes. 



There are ostriches of two kinds that frequent the sandy plains of 

 Karroo, in considerable numbers, and their eggs are less strong in 

 taste than those of ducks or geese. The females are very sociable in 

 their domestic concerns and family affairs. It is not unusual to find 

 thirty-six eggs in a single nest, the joint stock of three females, who 

 incubate together, attended by the fathers of the brood. Along the 

 coast are various kinds of sea-fish, such as perches, stone-breams, rock- 

 fish, mackerel, soles, and skate ; and abundance of muscles and oysters. 

 A variety of serpents and other reptiles are found in the forests, to- 

 gether with scorpions and insects of various kinds. The sea-cow and 

 the alligator are found in the Berg River. 



From St. Martin's Point we steered to the north-east, until we were 

 abreast of Cape Deseada, which is a low sandy beach in front of 

 bluff sand-hills, about two hundred fathoms back. From hence our 

 course was north-north-west, for about five leagues, when we were in 

 front of Lambert's Cove, in which small vessels may lie in perfect 

 safety, in three fathoms of water. The entrance is from the north, 

 and it runs in to the south-south-east about half a mile. Several 

 Dutch farmers reside in the vicinity of this harbour, and the adjacent 

 plains are covered with black-cattle. 



From Lambert's Cove we steered north-north-west, a little westerly, 

 until we were abreast of Cape Dunkin, in lat. 31° 55' S., long. 18° 6' 

 E. This cape is the south point of a small bay of the same name, 

 within which ships may find partial anchorage, in from ten to six 

 fathoms of water, sandy bottom. From thence we continued steering 

 to the northward for the distance of four leagues, when we were close 

 in with Elephant River, the entrance of which is in lat. 31° 37' S., 

 long. 17° 59' E. This river is not navigable for vessels, nor even 

 boats, unless the sea is very smooth, as there is a bar stretching across 

 its entrance, with only two feet of water on it ; and as the westerly 

 swell is constantly heaving in on this coast, there are generally heavy 

 breakers on the bar. But within this bar there is plenty of water for 

 a large ship, for the distance of two miles up the river, in front of a 

 small village, where there are several Dutch farmers residing. 



This river enters from the south, running in north-north-west about 

 two miles ; and then it turns to the east and east-south-east, carrying 

 bold water for a long distance inland. If there could be a passage 

 cut through the bar at the mouth of this river, it would be the finest 

 harbour on the west coast of Africa. The inhabitants are principally 



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