The weather was extremely sultry during the afternoon, the thermometer being at 89 degrees, and when exposed to the sun the mercury rose to 125 degrees.

Towards sunset large flights of boobies, terns, and other sea-birds passed by, flying towards the islands.

One or two stopped to notice us and flew round the brig several times.
February 19.
The night was fine with light south-west winds; but we had lightning in the North-East, from which quarter at daylight the weather clouded in; and, from the increasing dampness of the atmosphere, indicated rain.
At noon we were in 15 degrees 12 minutes 15 seconds South and 7 minutes 1 second east of the anchorage in Cygnet Bay.

The wind was from the southward with dull cloudy weather.

Large flights of birds were about the vessel, preying upon small fish swimming among the seaweed, of which we passed a great quantity.