Tuesday 6 September 1836

SEPTEMBER 6.-The rough weather still continued, and but few of the passengers ventured on deck, not liking to be so exposed to wind and water. Nevertheless, I preferred taking a view of the sea, of which I was always an enthusiastic admirer, and the sight, though awfully grand, was truly beautiful, and what made it more so were the flocks of Cape pigeons which constantly flew about the vessel and sometimes settled on the rigging. Some were caught for the purpose of being stuffed, for they are not fit to eat, being extremely tough. In size and appearance they very much resemble the common pigeon of England, but they are all alike, beautifully streaked with black and white, and are webfooted.