Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/442

 380 While I was employed in leveling the theodolite, the gentlemen directed their steps to a flight of pelicans that was seen collected upon the beach; at their approach the old birds took wing and left their unfledged young, to the number of eighteen or twenty, waddling about the sand, all of which were killed and skinned, before we embarked, for the sake of their white down. On the islet three very nearly-constructed natives' huts were observed, that, from their appearance, and the very recent state of the fish-bones and turtle-shells scattered about, had been lately occupied. The reef is of circular shape; the surface is formed principally of a rotten, crumbling coral rock, and was destitute of shells or any animal production, except the beche de mer: of which the black sort, ("batoo,") appeared the most abundant.

Among the bearings obtained from this station was that of the highest summit of Flinders's Group, which bore S. 61° 26′ E. (magnetic), and, as a connected bearing, was of considerable importance to the survey.

The day was too far advanced to make further progress with any advantage; we, therefore, remained until the following morning, when we steered N.N.W., but were soon impeded by a very extensive reef, m, that crossed our course,