Page 393
An. 1687
Of the Turtles moving from Sea to Sea.
crow like ours, but much more fmall and fhrill; and by their crowing we do firft find them out in the Woods, where we fhoot them. Their flefh is very white and fweet.
There are a great many Limpits, and Mufcles, and plenty of green Turtle.
And upon this mention of Turtle again, I think it not amifs to add fome reafons to ftrengthen the opinion that I have given concerning thefe Crea- tures removing from place to place. I have faid in Chapter 5th, that they leave their common feeding places, and go to places a great way from thence to lay, as particularly to the Ifland Afcention. Now I have difcourfed with fome fince that fubject was printed, who are of opinion, that when the lay- ing time is over, they never go from thence, but lye fome where in the Sea about the Ifland, which I think is very improbable: for there can be no food for them there, as I could foon make appear; as particularly from hence, that the Sea about the Ifle of Afcention is fo deep as to admit of no anchor- ing but at one place, where there is no fign of Grafs: and we never bring up with our founding Lead, any Grafs or Weeds out of very deep Seas, but Sand or the like only. But if this be granted, that there is food for them, yet I have a great deal of reafon to believe that the Turtle go from hence; for after the laying time you fhall never fee them, and where ever Turtle are, you will fee them rife, and hold their Head above water to breath, once in 7 or 8 minutes, or at longeft in 10 or 12. And if any man does but confider, how Fifh take their certain feafons of the year to go from one Sea to another, this would not feem ftrange; even Fowls alfo having their feafons to remove from once place to another
Thefe Iflands are pretty well watered with fmall Brooks of frefh Water, that run flufh into the