It was my intention, in order that we might commence our exploration of the Gulf with a good supply, to have searched for water in Port Lihou, on the south side of Cook Island, in Endeavour Strait; but the ships in company being able to supply us the delay was avoided. Since our last visit, the book at the Post Office, on Booby Island, had been destroyed by some mischievous visitors, and the box was in a very dilapidated state. We repaired the latter, and left a new book with a supply of pens and ink. A ton or two of water was also procured from some holes in the rocks on the island. I have before spoken of the heaps of stone which Captain King concluded were erected by seamen; but Dr. Wilson, in his Voyage round the World, mentions some cairns of stone on certain islands to the northward, not previously visited by Europeans, and which must have therefore been the work of natives. THE PAINTED QUAIL. Mr. Bynoe was fortunate enough to procure two pigeons of a new species (Ptilinopus superbus) and of beautiful colours; the breast being dark purple, the crown of the head red, and the other parts green; besides one specimen of a bird, of the same genus as one on the Abrolhos, generally called a quail, but with this difference, that it only lays four eggs, whereas quails lay fourteen or fifteen. It is known to the colonists as the Painted Quail; and has been called by Mr. Gould, from the specimen we got on Booby Island, Haemipodius melinatus. CHAPTER 2.8. GULF OF CARPENTARIA. Leave Booby Island. Eastern shore of Gulf. Van Diemen's Inlet. Exploration of. Party of Natives. Level country. Tides. Visit Bountiful Islands. Description of them. Sail for Sweers Island. Investigator Road. Natives. Locusts. Record of the Investigator's visit. Dig a well. Boats explore island and coast to the westward. Sweers and Bentinck Islands. Tides. Take ship over to the main. Another boat expedition leaves. Ship proceeds to the head of the Gulf. Discovery and exploration of Disaster Inlet. Narrow escape. Description of Interior. Wild Fowl. Explore coast to the eastward. Inlets. Discover the Flinders. The Cuckoo. Ascent of the river. Night scene. Burial tree. Remarks. Return to the ship. Exploration of south-western part of Gulf. Large inlets discovered. June 26. The vessels forming our convoy departed this morning, and soon disappeared in the western horizon, leaving the Beagle, that seemed destined to be a solitary roamer, once more alone at anchor under Booby Island.