Ch.I. south AMERICA. 193 



till they arrive at the Port of Paita ; being very care- 

 ful to keep at a proper diftance from Ogujia, which is 

 very low, and projeding a great diftance into the 

 fea. Accordingly cautious navigators, after pafTing 

 the iflands of Lobos, fteer a north courfe till they gee 

 fight of that of Nonura. 



The land of this whole coaft is low ; but there are 

 two figns which evidently indicate its being near. 

 Firft the fea- wolves, which are feen near thefe iflands, 

 and at three or four leagues diftant from them. The 

 fecond is the great flocks of birds all along this coaft, 

 flying two or three leagues from the fliore, in queft 

 of food. And though fogs are very frequent here, 

 and fo thick as to hide the land, yet its diftance may 

 be nearly known from thefe figns in the day time ; 

 but at night more circumfpe(5lion is neceflary on ac- 

 count of the extream lownefs of the fliore. And tho' 

 the iflands of Lobos are fomething higher than the 

 coaft, too much caution cannot be ufed in approach- 

 ing them. 



It is common in this voyage if the fliip is intend- 

 ed to touch at Paita, and has not had fight of the 

 iflands of Lobos in the day-time, when in their lati- 

 tude, to lie to all night. But if they do not pro- 

 pofe to flop at Paita, proper attention muft be given 

 to the courfe, and the voyage continued. If the fliip 

 be bound to Paita, there is a necefllty for making thefe 

 iflands, or the continent near them to the N. in ord^r 

 to avoid being carried beyond the port by the cur- 

 rents ; as in fuch a cafe a great deal of time would be 

 loft in getting back, both the wind and currents 

 being contrary. 



From Paita, the coaft is always kept in fight but 

 a careful look out is neceflkiry in order to difcover the 

 Negrilos, rocky Oioals, projeding four or five leagues 

 diftant from the fnore, and lying betwixt Paita and 

 cape Blanco, one of the points of G uayaquil-bay. The 

 winds during this whole pafl^age are ufu ally S. but 



Vol. II. ,0 in 



