TRAVELS IN THE CALI FOR NIAS. 235 
having constructed a raft of timber, they pass over to the 
nearest.one, and find it a small desert, not more than half a 
mile in length, and less in width. It is a bank of dry sand, 
with neither a drop of water, nor a leaf of verdure upon it. 
It is called by the Indians Asegua, on account of the immense 
flocks of birds which frequent it. Among these is a small jet 
black bird, something larger than a sparrow, which burrows 
in the sand, and makes its nest some four feet below the sur¬ 
face, retiring to it at night only, and living all day in the sea. 
There is another bird quite unlike any known to the Padre. 
It is about the size of a goose, with black wfings, a snowy 
breast, and light-colored feet, and a beak like the carnivora. 
This also makes its nest three or four feet below the surface 
It is a lover of storm and tempest, and never retires to its nest 
except when the sea is calm. These birds are hunted by the 
Indians for food. About four or five leagues distant from this 
island, lies another, called by the Indians Amalgua, or fog 
island. It is several leagues in circumference, and of a tri¬ 
angular form. In its midst rises a conical mountain of con- 
siderable height. It has several fresh-water springs ; but no 
anchorage protected from the sea. Deer and rabbits live 
upon it. Among the latter is a small black species with fur 
finer than that of the beaver. It is frequented by a variety 
of birds, and sea-wolves, on which its inhabitants chiefly sub¬ 
sist. They find also a fruit here called mexcales , which is 
juicy and very pleasant. A variety of beautiful shells lie on 
the shore ; some of an exquisite azure hue. From the top of 
the mountain on this island, the explorers have a view of 
two other small ones, eight or ten leagues to the westward 
There are also in the bay of San Xavier three other small 
islands, which are frequented by the sea-wolf and beaver. 
Farther northward they discover others, which they conjecture 
to be those that form the channel of Santa Barbara. They 
can obtain no information respecting these ‘ latter from the 
people of Amalgua. For they inform the Padre that their 
