SEAL KAY. 
311 
The detached islets about 90 miles apart, known as 
the Portland and Rattlesnake Rocks, are nearly the 
eastern and western extremities of the bank. This 
shoal has always been visited as an excellent and 
inexhaustible fishing ground ; and, probably from the 
variety and abundance of its aquatic animals and 
marine productions, it received from the Spaniards 
the name of Yivero, a word equally designating 
a warren or a fish-pond. The principal supply of 
turtle for the Kingston Market is derived from these 
shoals, and the rocks are numerously tenanted by 
sea-birds.” 
% 
In the spring of 1846 George Wilkie, Esq., paid 
a visit to these Kays, and succeeded in obtaining a 
larger specimen of the Seal. Some notes with which 
he kindly furnished me, through the medium of Mr. 
Hill, of the peculiarites of the different islets, depict 
natural difficulties in the access to Seal Kay, suffi- 
cient to account for the meagreness of the informa- 
tion about Seals, possessed by the host of egg- 
gatherers, who annually resort to those rocks and 
shoals. Seal Kay lies about three miles to leeward 
of the principal group. It is about two acres in ex- 
tent, and rises to twenty feet in height, but is en- 
tirely destitute of all terrestrial vegetation. Address, 
in landing, requires to be combined with strength, 
hardihood, and perseverance ; and frequently before 
a footing can be obtained, the Seals, the objects of 
attraction, have escaped to the waters, and continue 
to avoid the shore as long as intruders remain upon 
the island. “ When Mr. Wilkie’s party first landed 
in their late visit, they surprised some five Seals on 
