Pursuing our path along the beach, the seamen at last thought they saw houses among the trees, but on landing we found we were again deceived by a row of white rocks, prettily overhung with creepers. Though no traces of inhabitants were to be found, yet animal life was well represented, innumerable monkeys swarmed at the edge of the jungle, while flights of birds of every kind kept rising before us. I never saw more monstrous pelicans, but after having been so deceived by the monkeys, I must not attempt to estimate their height. The best birds, however, for culinary purposes, were the curlews, some of which are as large as small fowls: unfortunately we were not provided with shot, and ball fell harmlessly among them. They are wary birds, but may yet be readily circumvented. There is a spot at the entrance of one of the minor branches of the Sarawak river, where the curlews congregate in thousands, but only at the height of spring-tides can you get profitable shots at them. There are broad sands there, and the birds spread over them to feed; by degrees the rising waters gradually press them back towards the wooded shore; and as beach after beach is covered, they fly screaming above in wide circles, gradually narrowing till they all settle on the spot near which the sportsmen lie concealed, either behind scattered bushes, or in a prepared bower of leafy branches. The evening has well closed in before the tip-top of high-water; and the loud scream of the myriads of birds deadens the detonation of the guns as they send their iron shower among them, enabling us to load and reload without completely scaring the birds. We once obtained ninety-five of the largest kind, and hundreds of smaller ones, to feast the crowd who were assembled near preparatory to a great tuba-fishing. Balambañgan is admirably situated to command the China seas; however, if its position be superior to Labuan, the latter has coal to counterbalance that advantage. While strolling along the beach we came upon the tracks of cattle, deer, and pigs, and another party from the ship had the good fortune to secure a large supply of excellent fish with the seine. This island, as well as the neighbouring coast of the mainland, appears to swarm with game; I landed on the latter, and found an extensive open plain, diversified with a few low eminences, backed by some cleared hills, and there the tracks of wild cattle, deer, and pigs were innumerable. The rhinoceros is also reported to be occasionally seen, but we came across no traces of it. Continuing our voyage, we passed the island of Banguey, in the northern part of which there are fine peaked hills, with inhabitants, and plenty of good water, therefore far preferable to Balambañgan for a settlement; as if the harbours be not good, there is sufficient shelter against both monsoons.