manner, that we hurried away as fast as possible. There was a great number of young ones left on the island, and there is no doubt but they would have landed with increased numbers, and attacked us again. The very young seals do not like to take the water, as they cannot swim very well. When they first go into the water the old cow carries them on her back, or rather carries it, for I have not seen any of them with more than one calf, and they have a great job to get them down to the water at first. I have known a cow to be three days in getting a calf half a mile to get it into the water. When you surprise the calves when they are staying at the edge of the water, they will always run on shore and make for the bush. The last time that Raynal went without me the seals were very savage. In the water they attacked the boat; one left the marks of his teeth in an oar, and another one was going to jump into the boat, but Raynal shot him. When they are killed in the water they sink like a stone.
We have got a nest of young parrots. I think we have had them at the house a fortnight now. The steward at tends to them; they are getting on very well. I think it very strange to find parrots here at all, and it is more surprising that they should have young ones at this season of the year. The common field mouse is also here. I do not know whether they are very numerous all over the islands or not, but there are a good many about the house. We have not been able to do anything at the thatching this week. About one-third of the house is finished, and the grass is all bundled for the remainder. We are only waiting for weather to put it on; but whether it will ever be favourable again or not I cannot say. In going to and from the island, on Friday last, I sounded all the way. I found a bank with eleven fathoms on it in the middle of the harbour, and well to windward of this is good anchorage ground. It will be, however, in the chart I have in course of construction; and as I have not yet named all the points, it is useless to note down any bearings here. We cure all
