i 9 ,o] BIRDS OF THE SOUTH 19 
falling, but not on a steep gradient; it is still above 
normal. This afternoon it is overcast with a Scotch 
mist. Another day ought to put us beyond the reach of 
westerly gales. 
We still continue to discuss the project of landing at 
Cape Crozier, and the prospect grows more fascinating as 
we realise it. For instance, we ought from such a base 
to get an excellent idea of the Barrier movement, and 
of the relative movement amongst the pressure ridges. 
There is no doubt it would be a tremendous stroke ot luck 
to get safely landed there with all our paraphernalia. 
Everyone is very cheerful — one hears laughter and 
song all day — it's delightful to be with such a merry crew. 
A week from New Zealand to-day. 
Wednesday > December 7. — Lat. 6i° 22'. Long. 179 0 56' 
VV. Made good S. 25 Y„ 150; Ant. Circle 313'. The 
barometer descended on a steep regular gradient all night, 
turning suddenly to an equally steep up grade this morning. 
With the turn a smart breeze sprang up from the S.W. 
and forced us three points off our course. The sea has 
remained calm, seeming to show that the ice is not far 
off ; this afternoon temperature of air and water both 
34 0 , supporting the assumption. The wind has come 
fair and we are on our course again, going between 7 and 
8 knots. 
Quantities of whale birds about the ship, the first 
fulmars and the first McCormick skua seen. Last night 
saw * hour glass ' dolphins about. Sooty and black-browed 
albatrosses continue, with Cape chickens. The cold makes 
people hungry and one gets just a tremor on seeing the 
