NEW SOUTH WALES, 
upper part of this branch was low and full of fwamps. c 
Pelicans and various other birds were here feen in great ^ 
numbers. Among the reft an uncommon kind, called 
then the Hooded Gull, and fuppofed to be a non defcript ; 
but it appears from a drawing fent to England, a plate 
from which is here inferted, to be of that fpecies called 
by Mr. Latham the Cafpian "fern^ and is defcribed by 
him as the fecond variety of that fpecies.- 
Leaving this north-weft branch they proceeded acrofs 
the bay, and went into the fouth-weft branch. This is 
alfo very extenfive ; and from it runs a fecond opening 
to the w^eftvv^ard, affording ilielter for aimoft any number 
of fliips. In this part, as far as could then be exa- 
mined, there is v/ater for velTels of the greateft burthen, 
the foundings being at the entrance feven fathoms, and 
in going up fcill more. Continual rains prevented them 
from taking a furvey. The land here was found much 
higher than at Port Jackfon, m^ore rocky, and equally 
covered v/ith timber. Large trees were feen growing 
even on the ftimmits of the mountains, which apDcared 
accefdble only to birds. Immediately round the he:,d» 
land that forms the fouthern entrance into the bay, there 
is a third branch, which Governor Phillip thought the 
fineft piece of water he had ever feen ; and which there* 
* Latham's Synopfis of Birds, vol. vi. p. 351^ . 
fore 
