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234
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[MAY, 1902.
terminating where an extensive Inlet is formed, named in the Chart Shoal Bay it retreats to Southward behind the high land, and to northward round an island where a second nouth is formed ; which abounds with Oysters (Oyster Bay). On a reference to the Chart it will be perceived that this extensive double Inlet, is too shallow for the reception of Ships.
Two miles northward of Oyster Bay in Latd. 11° 58 is Port Meadows, a small but Convenient Harbour. The passage in, is very narrow, south of an island which is situated in the entrance. The interior part of this harbour, is invironed by Coral Reefs. The surrounding land, in general is low, with extensive tracks of Mangrove Jungle, intersected by Creeks, and forming several islands.
Two miles nortiward of Port Meadows is situated the eastern entrance of Middle Strait, the Bar of 1 fm, the intricacy and narrowness within together with the difficulty and danger of access from westward, renders it nseless for ships of burtben, but it will afford an easy communication between the east and West Coasts of the great island. The Tides in this Strait are not so strong as might be expected. It is here proper to Observe that the Coast from Shoal Bay to middle Strait ought not to be Approached without caution closer than two miles as there are some dangers, which are inserted in the Chart, extending nearly that distance from the land.
Northward from Middle strait there are great inequalities in the Surface of the land, some parts low, and others rising very abruptly and nearly insulated by the sea : the direction is N E N but deeply indented with Bays and Inlets. The soundings are regular and no dangers without the depth of ten fathoms, The distance to Strait Island is thirteen miles the direction N E. Here the Archipelago Contracts the breadth of Dilligent Strait to three leagues : and from Strait Ioland to Bound Hill [Wilson Island) (which is the narrowest part) the breadth is only one league. The number and variety of the Islands Agreeably diversified with rugged Cliffs and luxuriant forests presents a prospect beautiful and picturesque. On a near Approach the Caves Appear, which are inhabited by innumerable flooks of the Small Swallow; which makes the edible Birds-nost so much valued by the chinese as a delicacy and restorative. The principle (sic) Cave is situated the south point of Strait Island, which is rocky, but not exceeding forty feet in height. The entrance, which is washed by the tide, is an irregular aperture of about six feet wide, and the same height; on Advancing thirty or forty feet, the height diminishes to four feet and the breadth increases to twenty. Here it is rather dark and very warm, and the top and sides of the Cave are covered with Nosts; an astonishing number of Birds, twittering, and on the wing, whisking past the ears and eyes, this Contrasted with the melancholy noise of the waves resounding through the gloomy Cavern formed a very uncommon and interesting Scene. The Birds are probably induced to choose this situation from the Caves being inaccessible either to Snakes or Quadrupeds and probably defensible Against birds of Prey. The Nests in general are in form of the quarter of the sphere of 2) inches diameter, of this shape one of the sections being firmly fixed to the rock the other section leaves the Nest Open above. The Substance is glutinous; those most in estimation are white and demi-transparent. It has been doubtful, and various Conjectures have been formed of what the Nests are Composed. In smaller and more accessible Caves I have observed a Mucilage, exuding from the rock, moistened by exhalations from the sea, which washes the lower part of those Caves. This Mucilage on being lavigated and dryed, had both the texture color and taste of the Nest ; but what removed all my doubts of this being the substance was seeing the Birds in immense numbers, resorting to a Cave very productive of the Mucilage in the month of January which is the season the Birds Build their Nests. It may now be presumed that the Nests are neither of animal or vegitable, but a mineral Substance. But to return to my more immediate duty.
It has been already observed that the breadth of Dilligent Strait is contracted to the breadth of one league, between Strait Island and Round Hill; but besides suffering this Contraction, the Soundings beyond this become very irregular and there are many dangerous patches of Coral on either side: one in particular halt a league east of Strait island is very dangerous; it will appear in the Chart The Spit extending about the same distance north from Round Hill, the Reefs connected with Middle and North Buttons, and an extensive and dangerous
