COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
215 
we steered over the tail within the coloured J 829 . 
water, but had no bottom with forty-five fathoms, Feb. is. 
In many parts near the island the rocks must be 
very little below the surface of the water, for 
the sea occasionally broke upon them. 
We then steered to the East and E.N.E., and 
at night made short trips on either tack. The 
weather was extremely sultry during the after- 
noon, the thermometer being at 89°, and when 
exposed to the sun, the mercury rose to 125°. 
Towards sunset large flights of boobies, terns, 
and other sea-birds passed by, flying towards 
the islands. One or two stopped to notice us, 
and flew round the brig several times. 
The night was fine with light south-west 
winds ; but we had lightning in the N.E., from 
which quarter, at daylight, the weather clouded 19 . 
in; and, from the increasing dampness of the 
atmosphere, indicated rain. 
At noon we were in 15° 12' 15" S. and 7 1" 
east of the anchorage in Cygnet Bay. The 
wind was from the southward with dull cloudy 
weather. Large flights of birds were about 
the vessel, preying upon small fish swimming 
.among the sea-weed, of which we passed a great 
quantity. As the evening approached, the wea- 
ther clouded in, and threatened us with another 
squall from the eastward. The thermometer 
