Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/483

] height in bad weather, notwithstanding the coast was guarded by very large rocks; although indeed they were but at a small distance from the bases of the mountains.

As the rill, which was very weak, furnished slowly the water necessary to quench our thirst, we were obliged to remain beside it, when presently some little drops of the salt water with which we were wetted, convinced me that the air raised to the place where we stood, the sea water, attenuated by impinging against the rocks. It was not long till our clothes were covered with it, as if we had been exposed to a slight fog; and this water had lost none of its saltness.

Some birds came to our retreat to quench their thirst. There I killed the charming yellow turtle dove, remarkable for six or eight golden feathers towards the bases of its wings, and which induced White to call it The golden winged pigeon (see page 43, where he has given a good ). I had before found the same species at Cape Diemen.

There we also caught many penguins, of the species called aptenodyta minor, and which Captain Cook likewise met with at New Zealand. They were in the same manner concealed in very deep holes in the rocks, from whence it was frequently very difficult to expel them. The