CHttlfiiTMAS ISLAND. 



H9 



j|f0|^C birds, of the roseate imd wMl<Et species, 

 were about tlu* s})i|>, Hltboii<>li we were then 

 ilistaut three hundred and seveuty miles from 

 •* Christmas Island/* wWch the neamt 

 laud.* 0n th# 7^, "bodbies, fs^m Mtdis, mA 



white and rose-coloured tro])ie bir(U, indicated 

 the > iriuity f)f " Cliristmas Island/' which was 

 seen about midnight, by the liglit of the moon, 

 bearing north-east by north, by compass, dis- 

 tajiitwelV6^r fbttfteen irtflea. On th^e^ 10th 



were becalmed tliree or four miles off the south- 

 west side of ''Cla](p"s l,<]and/' which was low, 

 densely wooded with eocoa-])ahiis, and otlior 

 trees, even to tlie water s edge : a heavy surf 

 roQed upon th^ sandy bgi^h^ and dn at- 

 tending from ^rtedaiitf . 



Early in the morning, on the lltli, we wer^i* 

 ofl" the noitb-west side of Prince's Island," 

 and the land wind brought with it a delicious 

 balmy feagrsancei tlie extoislire iroaSng^ 

 out a Itmg distance i?om the soulliwwe&t p^M^ 



* These are certainly die mpst delicate and beautiful of 

 tTie oceanic birds ; tlicir pecultat* stlffll, raucous note indicates 

 their ])resciicL' about the ship ; hovering over t!if \t >sL'l, CMr 

 dart ing hi to the water in pursnit of prey , luul as tlie sun 

 shines upon the chaste and elegant plumage of the white 

 species, or the rosy-tinted featlier* of i3i2& i5ed siwdea^ M 

 phasticufus, tbdr beauty is increased. 



