hickness that we desired, which was a very great discovery indeed--
perhaps the most important we had yet made.

We now wended our way back to the coast, intending to encamp near the
beach, as we found that the mosquitoes were troublesome in the forest.
On our way we could not help admiring the birds which flew and chirped
around us. Among them we observed a pretty kind of paroquet, with a
green body, a blue head, and a red breast; also a few beautiful
turtle-doves, and several flocks of wood-pigeons. The hues of many of
these birds were extremely vivid--bright green, blue, and scarlet being
the prevailing tints. We made several attempts throughout the day to
bring down one of these, both with the bow and the sling--not for mere
sport, but to ascertain whether they were good for food. But we
invariably missed, although once or twice we were very near hitting. As
evening drew on however, a flock of pigeons flew past. I slung a stone
into the midst of them at a venture, and had the good fortune to kill
one. We were startled soon after by a loud whistling noise above our
heads, and on looking up, saw a flock of wild ducks making for the
coast. We watched these, and observing where they alighted, followed
them up until we came upon a most lovely blue lake, not more than two
hundred yards long, embosomed in verdant trees. Its placid surface,
which reflected every leaf and stem as if in a mirror, was covered with
various species of wild ducks, feeding among the sedges and broad-leaved
water-plants which floated on it, while numerous birds like water-hens
ran to and fro most busily on its margin. These all, with one accord,
flew tumultuously away the instant we made our appearance. While
walking along the margin we observed fish in the water, but of what sort
we could not tell.

Now, as we neared the shore, Jack and I said we would go a little out of
our way to see if we could procure one of those ducks; so, directing
Peterkin to go straight to the shore and kindle a fire, we separated,
promising to rejoin him speedily. But we did not find the ducks,
although we made a diligent search for half-an-hour. We were about to
retrace our steps when we were arrested by one of the strangest sights
that we had yet beheld.

Just in front of us, at the distance of about ten yards, grew a superb
tree, which certainly was the largest we had yet seen on the island.
Its trunk was at least five feet in diameter, with a smooth, g