BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 
CHAPTER VI. 
THE MIRAPORVOS. 
The group of islands known as Miraporvos are situated about 
fifteen miles west of Castle Rock, Acklin Island, and are simply a 
number of small, barren reefs, the largest of them not exceeding 
half a mile in extent. 
It is dangerous to attempt to visit them, as there are many 
concealed reefs in their vicinity, and, as there is no harbor what- 
ever, the vessel is compelled to come to anchor under the lee of the 
island, and be kept in readiness to put to sea at once, if the wind 
should change. As we approached the islands, immense quantities 
of Terns were flying about or resting upon the water, and among 
them we observed a number of Shearwaters and Booby Gannets 
Upon landing, we found the whole island covered with a thick 
growth of cactus, which made walking rather uncomfortable, as the 
sharp needles cut through the clothes, and drew blood freely. As 
we advanced, hundreds of Terns rose upon all sides of us, uttering 
harsh cries as they flew about our heads, while others nearly allowed 
themselves to be stepped on before they offered to leave the nest. 
Near the middle of the island there is a small marsh, which we 
found tenanted by a number of Waders, of different species. Sev- 
eral Wilson Plovers seemed greatly disconcerted by our presence, 
