East Coast, Sf V. D. s Land.] INTRODUCTION. elxv 
ment. Out of the flocks of black swans, from one-fifth to one- Flicks 
and Bass. 
tenth of them were unable to fly; and since the same thing has 179s, 
been found to obtain in the months of January and May, as well as 
in October, it is probably so at all times of the year. These birds are 
endowed with a considerable portion of sagacity : they cannot dive, 
but have a method of immersing themselves so deep in the water, 
as to render their bodies nearly invisible, and thus frequently to avoid 
detection. In chase, their plan was to gain the wind upon our little 
boat ; and they usually succeeded when the breeze was strong, and 
sometimes escaped from our shot also. 
Kanguroos appeared to be rather numerous in this part of Van 
Diemen's Land ; but as they were shy, and we had little time or 
necessity to go after them, one only was procured ; it was of the 
large, forest kind, and the flesh was thought superior to that of 
the same animal at Port Jackson. 
Ducks and teal went by flocks in Port Dalrymple ; but they were 
shy, and we took no trouble after them. The white-bellied shag, 
and the black and pied red bills were common in the lower parts of 
the port, and some pelicans were seen upon the shoals. The large 
Mack shag, usually found hi rivers, was seen in different parts of 
the Tamar ; and upon another occasion, we found these birds to be 
tolerable food. 
Neither our wants nor leisure were sufficient to induce any 
attempt to catch fish. Muscles were abundant upon those rocks 
which are overflowed by the tide ; and the natives appeared to get 
oysters by diving, the shells having been found near their fire places. 
The country round Port Dalrymple has, in general, a pleasing 
and fertile appearance ; nor did examination prove it to be deceitful. 
But this subject, and what concerns the natives, came more particu- 
larly within the department of Mr. Bass; and his observations upon 
them having been published, I proceed to the continuation of the 
voyage. 
Dec. 3, in the evening, the Norfolk was lying at anchor off the 
i 
