The marks of a turtle were noticed upon the beach; and near them was the impression of a native’s foot as well as the broken shells of some turtles’ eggs which had very recently been eaten.  This discovery set the boat’s crew on the search for other nests but they were unsuccessful.

An extensive view of the surrounding islands was obtained from its summit, as well as a set of bearings for the survey of this Sound, which was named at Mr. Hunter’s request after Robert Montagu, Esquire, Admiral of the White.

A sea-breeze set in before we left the island:  upon arriving on board we got underweigh and at four o’clock anchored near the bottom of the bay (Swift’s Bay) in the entrance of a strait separating Kater’s Island from the main.

In the evening we landed upon the south-east end of Kater’s Island and found it to be in character, both geologically and botanically, very similar to Water Island; excepting that there was more vegetation upon it in the shape of shrubs and trees.  The surface of the ground was covered by spinifex, which rendered our walking both difficult and painful; this plant diffuses a strong aromatic odour, which quality it possesses, as it were, to counterbalance the annoying effects of its prickly foliage.

September 7.

The next day Mr. Bedwell examined a small inlet at the bottom of the bay.  It proved to be merely a salt-water creek bounded by rocks and mangroves.  Traces of natives were observed; and he brought on board with him the remains of a fish-pot, nine feet long, made of strips of Flagellaria indica, but so imperfect and disfigured that we could not readily convince ourselves either of its particular construction or use.  In the evening we found a few gallons of water in a hollow near the beach upon the south shore of the strait.  During Mr. Bedwell’s absence a hot land-wind from South-East sprung up and raised the temperature to 90 degrees.

The peculiar verdure of the vegetation in all parts hereabout was a proof that this part of the country had suffered less from drought than the coast to the eastward.  The traces of a small species of kangaroo were found in every part but our appearance had frightened them away.  The food of this animal appeared to be principally the seeds and leaves of an acacia which they reach easily from the rocks.

Mr. Cunningham, who was as usual most indefatigable in adding to his collection, observed one of the large nests that have been so frequently before described.  It was six feet in diameter, formed principally of sticks, among which was found a piece of bamboo about five feet long, that had evidently been cut at its extremities by a sharp-edged tool, probably by the Malays.  Whatever the inhabitant of this nest might have been it was doubtless a bird of considerable size and power to have transported a stick of such a length.

September 8.