224 February 1855 Hong Kong, China The "Naucook" is still at Shanghai, where she has been repairing damages, she having suffered much during the winter's cruise, and getting around several times. The Schooner also had had a hard time. Lt. Hunter had died on board the "Naucook", and news has been received of the death of Capt. Davis (formerly of the "Porpoise") in the U.S., and of Dr. Hamilton, in the Susquehanna off Japan. Government has confirmed Capt. Rodgers in his command, and our Matter's Cruise is therefore certain. Mr. Redlock (our wrecked guest at Lochoo) made his appearance on board on the morning of our arrival, and invited the Course-Don and Ward-Room Officers to a dinner that afternoon, which several of us, myself included, attended. The dinner took place at the Club-house, and was excellent, the best, probably, which could be gotten up at this place. Mr. R. also presented our mess with about forty dozen of wines and brandies, as some slight (?) return for our hospitality to him;--and gave $100 to the Crew. He sailed, for San Francisco (according to his own account) the next day. 22 February 1855 Hong Kong, China For the first half-month I have been busily employed in describing the new species collected during the late cruise. In doing this I am of course confined to my rooms. The ship is undergoing an overhauling, and the sound of the caulking mallets around and over my head is no great help to patient investigation. I succeeded in bearing it however, with considerable sacrifice of health, and had the pleasure of handing in to the Commodore descriptions of 81 new species, which were sent home for publication. An Observing Station was established on shore, in some buildings on Morrison Hill, kindly placed at our disposal by the Premier. Messrs Kerr, Knox and Brooks established their quarters and commenced operations there, with their respective assistants, servants etc., and a small Marine guard. I sent my man "Pelkey" ashore, with bag & hammock, gun, taxidermical instr. etc., to make as large an ornithological collection as circumstances would allow of. He was assisted by a German Marine named Baer, and as the season was propitious, they made a collection of some value, during the two months of this, our second stay here. It would seem that many North-China birds of passage