is corresponded in shape with what Ross frequently referred
to as an "ice island," uncertain whether it was a berg or ice-covered
land. A sounding close by gave two hundred and eight fathoms, showing
that we were on the continental shelf, and increasing the probability
that the "ice island" was aground.

Birds innumerable appeared on every hand: snow petrels, silver petrels,
Cape pigeons and Antarctic petrels. They fluttered in hundreds about
our bows. Cape pigeons are well known in lower latitudes, and it was
interesting to find them so far south. As they have chessboard-like
markings on the back when seen in flight, there is no mistaking them.

The ice-wall or glacier-tongue now took a turn to the south-east. At
this point it had risen to a great height, about two hundred feet sheer.
A fresh wind was blowing in our teeth from the south-south-east, and
beyond this point would be driving us on to the cliffs. We put the ship
about, therefore, and made for the lee side of the "ice island."

In isolated coveys on the inclined top of the "island" were several
flocks, each containing hundreds of Antarctic petrels. At intervals they
would rise into the air in clouds, shortly afterwards to settle down
again on the snow.

Captain Davis moved the ship carefully against the lee wall of the
"island," with a view of replenishing our water supply, but it was
unscalable, and we were forced to withdraw. Crouched on a small
projection near the water's edge was a seal, trying to evade the eyes of
a dozen large grampuses which were playing about near our stern. These
monsters appeared to be about twenty-five feet in length. They are the
most formidable predacious mammals of the Antarctic seas, and annually
account for large numbers of seals, penguins, and other cetaceans. The
sea-leopard is its competitor, though not nearly so ferocious as the
grampus, of whom it lives in terror.

The midnight hours were spent off the "ice island" while we wafted for
a decrease in the wind. Bars of cirrus clouds covered the whole sky--the
presage of a coming storm. The wind arose, and distant objects were
blotted out by driving snow. An attempt was made to keep the ship
in shelter by steaming into the wind, but as "ice island" and
glacier-tongue were lost in clouds of snow, we were fortunate to make
the lee of the latter, about fourteen miles to the north. There we
steamed up and down until the afternoon of January 5, when the weather
improved. A so