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An. 1681

Booby, and Man of War Birds.

Spring of water by the Houses, which serves the In- habitants, though it is brackish. At the West end of the Island there is a good Spring of Fresh water, and 3 or 4 Indian Families live there, but no Water nor Houses at any other place. On the South side, near the East-end, is a good Salt-pond, where Dutch Sloops come for Salt.

From Bon-Airy we went to the Isle of Aves, or Birds; so called from its great plenty of Birds, as Men of War and Boobies; but especially Boobies. The Booby is a Water-fowl, somewhat less than a Hen, of a light greyish colour. I observ'd the Boobies of this Island to be whiter than others. This Bird hath a strong Bill, longer and bigger than a Crows, and broader at the end; her Feet are flat like a Ducks Feet. It is a very simple creature, and will hardly go out of a mans way. In other places they build their Nests on the ground, but here they build on Trees; which I never saw any where else: tho I have seen of them in a great many places. Their Flesh is black and eats Filthy, but are often eaten by the Privateers. Their numbers have been much lef- fen'd by the French Fleet, which lay here till it was lost, as I shall give an account.

The Man of War (as it is called by the English) is about the bigness of a Kite, and in shape like it, but black; and the Neck is red. It lives on Fish, yet never lights on the Water, but soars aloft like a Kite; and when it sees its prey, it flys down head fore- most to the waters edge, very swiftly takes his prey out of the Sea with his Bill, and immediately mounts again as swiftly; and never touching the Water but with his Bill. His Wings are very long: His Feet are like other Land-Fowl; and he builds on Trees, where he finds any; but, where they are wanting, on the ground.

This Island Aves lies about 8. or 9 leagues to the Eastward of the Island Bon-airy, about 14 or 15 leagues from