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[Page 277]

273.
May 1770.   Keppels Bay

& a kind of white bird calld by the seamen Egg bird  Sterna....... before I went out we tried in the Cabbin to fish with hook & line but the water was too shoal (3 fhm) for any fish  this want was however in some degree by Crabs of which vast numbers were on the ground who readily took our baits & sometimes held them so fast with their claws that they sufferd themselves to be hawld into the ship  they were of 2 sorts Cancer pelagicus Linn  & another much like the former but not so beautifull  the first was ornamented with the finest ultramarine blew conceivable with which all his claws & every Joint was deeply tingd  the under part of him was a lovely white  shining as if glazd & perfectly resembling the white of old China   the other had a little of the ultramarine on his Joints & toes & on his back 3 very remarkable brown spots. 2 fires were seen upon an Island, & those who went to sound in the boats saw people upon an Island also who calld to them & seemd very desirous that they should land.  in examining a fig which we had

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