The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. VI. Being the Second of the Third VoyageCook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. VI. Being the Second of the Third Voyage
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
may judge of the size of the trees which grow on the neighbouring
continent, it may be difficult to determine. But it was observed that
none larger than those we saw growing, lay upon the beach amongst the
drift wood. The pine-trees seemed all of one sort; and there was neither
the Canadian pine nor cypress to be seen. But there were a few which
appeared to be the alder, that were but small, and had not yet shot
forth their leaves. Upon the edges of the cliffs, and on some sloping
ground, the surface was covered with a kind of turf, about half a foot
thick; which seemed composed of the common moss; and the top, or upper
part, of the island had almost the same appearance as to colour; but
whatever covered it seemed to be thicker. I found amongst the trees some
currant and hawberry bushes; a small yellow-flowered violet; and the
leaves of some other plants not yet in flower, particularly one which
Mr. Anderson supposed to be the _heracleum_ of Linnæus, the sweet herb,
which Steller, who attended Beering, imagined the Americans here dress
for food, in the same manner as the natives of Kamtschatka.[59]
We saw, flying about the wood, a crow; two or three of the white-headed
eagles mentioned at Nootka; and another sort full as large, which
appeared also of the same colour, or blacker, and had only a white
breast. In the passage from the ship to the shore, we saw a great many
fowls sitting upon the water, or flying about in flocks or pairs; the
chief of which were a few quebrantahuesses, divers, ducks, or large
peterels, gulls, shags, and burres. The divers were of two sorts; one
very large, of a black colour, with a white breast and belly; the other
smaller, and with a longer and more pointed bill, which seemed to be the
common guillemot. The ducks were also of two sorts; one brownish, with a
black or deep blue head and neck, and is perhaps the stone-duck
described by Steller. The others fly in larger flocks, but are smaller
than these, and are of a dirty black colour. The gulls were of the
common sort, and those which fly in flocks. The shags were large and
black, with a white spot behind the wings as they flew; but probably
only the larger water-cormorant. There was also a single bird seen
flying about, to appearance of the gull kind, of a snowy white colour,
with black along part of the upper side of its wings. I owe all these
remarks to Mr. Anderson. At the place where we landed, a fox came from
the verge of the wood, and eyed us with very little emotion, walking
leisurely, without any signs of fear. He was of a reddish yellow colour,
like some of the skins we bought at Nootka, but not of a large size. We
also saw two or three little seals off shore; but no other animals or
birds, nor the least signs of inhabitants having ever been upon the
island.
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