The sea has remained calm, seeming to show that the ice is not far off; this afternoon temperature of air and water both 34 deg., supporting the assumption.

The wind has come fair and we are on our course again, going between 7 and 8 knots.
Quantities of whale birds about the ship, the first fulmars and the first McCormick skua seen.

Last night saw 'hour glass' dolphins about.

Sooty and black-browed albatrosses continue, with Cape chickens.

The cold makes people hungry and one gets just a tremor on seeing the marvellous disappearance of consumables when our twenty-four young appetites have to be appeased.
Last night I discussed the Western Geological Party, and explained to Ponting the desirability of his going with it.