November 1853 Southern Ocean. 60 30th S.Lat. 42°32' E.Lon 77°30' Wind N.W. No. 8 Today the gale abated and the Sea becomes much smoother. December 1853 1st S.Lat. 43°06' E.Lon. 81°29' Wind S.W. No. 9k A hawk-like bird, with short broad wings having a light yellow transverse stripe across them, and elsewhere of a brown color, was first seen Today and made its appearance at intervals for some time afterward. It flew by flap- ping its wings, unlike the Albatross and other birds of the petrel family. It seemed to derive its food from the other birds flying in our wake, by attacking, especially the large ones, and making them disgorge their food. It agrees quite well with Capt. Cook's account of the "Port Egmont hen" 2nd S.Lat. 42°48' E. Lon. 85°36' Wind N. No. 9k The two-net took a Cleodora and a Hyperine Amphipod. 3rd S. Lat. 43°14' E. Lon. 89°17' Wind N. No. 8k. The last of the whale-birds were seen 4th today. A terrific squall passed near us a little before sunset, and December 1853 Southern Ocean. 61 although one extremity only passed over us, we were twice obliged to send her fore it under bare poles. S.Lat 43°59' E.Lon 90°08' Wind N.W. No. 9k 5th S. Lat. 44°30' E. Lon 97°48' Wind N.W. No. 8k. The wind is very strong today and obliges us to reduce sail considerably. The last individuals of Procellaria Capensis and of the little Cape Carie (K26) were seen today. A bird appeared in numbers today which seems different from any we have seen resembling most V-23. = Everywhere brownish above, greyish-black on the top of the head and at the back of the bill below as well as above. Below, breast & part of neck white, wings brown with a whitish spot posteriorly near their extremities. Tail black below near the tip. A bird resembling V-19 has been about since for the last two weeks but more leaves us almost entirely. One was caught - see V. 106 6th S. Lat. 44°48' E.Lon. 102°43' Wind N.W. No. 9k. In the evening we had the pleasure of witnessing a fine display of Aurora Australis.