BAHAMAN TRIP 



15 



which the men called "blue cranes." There were a number of their 

 nests in the mangrove, a few of which contained greenish eggs. Shot 

 two of the birds. We sailed on to Wax Cut Cay where we had lunch. 

 Near the shore were many Strombus shells which varied considerably 

 in shape. In some the outer edge of the aperture was thin and ex- 

 tended, while in others it was much thicker and narrower. The men 

 called the thick-lipped ones "sambo" and the others the "broad- 

 lipped conchs." We found some intermediate specimens which were 

 thickened but otherwise like the broad-lipped, so perhaps the sambo 

 conch is only an old broad-lip. 



From Wax Cut Cay we sailed to Stirrup Cay, then past Rat Cay 

 and Stump Cay, and between four and five o'clock poled up what we 

 supposed was London Creek, but after proceeding a short distance, 

 could see an opening through the cays seaward, showing we were not 

 in the creek at all. Went about four miles farther and then anchored 

 for the night, pitching our tent on low ground covered with under- 

 growth and with a few pines. 



Sunday, May 4. Up early, troubled by sand flies. A short dis- 

 tance above our camp, we entered London Creek. The men say 

 that the land to the south of us is a cay without a name and runs up to 

 a lake at the head of London Creek, with which Stafford Creek is also 

 connected. Our general course was nearly southwest, with many 

 turnings. The creek in some places was narrow, but as a rule was 

 perhaps an eighth of a mile in width. The water was only two or 

 three feet deep, and the bottom muddy. In one place the whitish 

 slimy deposit was six feet three inches in depth. The course of the 

 creek was through the pine-yard; in many places the pines and pal- 

 mettoes came down to the water's edge, while in others it was bordered 

 with mangroves. We sailed and poled up about six miles until the 

 water became too shallow for us to proceed. We walked a short dis- 

 tance through some swash, and then through pines-, hoping to reach a 

 lake that the men said was four or five miles off, but a heavy shower 

 threatening, we made our way back to the boat. After the rain stopped 

 we sailed back out the creek and down to Calabash Cay, at the mouth of 

 Stafford Creek. Spent the night in an unoccupied new house. 



Monday, May 5. Found Stafford Creek entirely different in char- 

 acter from London Creek. The mouth was only about sixty feet 

 wide, the water six or seven feet deep, and the current swift. After 



