24 Reached Payta at daylight Dropped anchor in the bay about 30yds from the wharf. This country is a dry barren desolate most almost absolute without sign of vegetation except at the post. A mosquito the bush could be seen near the beach in a few places, there is perhaps no other place in the world where so sharp a transition occurs between heavy tropical forest like that at Manguquil Bay of the absolute desert country at Payta only 10 miles south. There is but physical barrier such as a mountain range, the change being due no doubt to the southeast trades which drive away the moist laden breezes from the north which supply Ecuador with rain. The whole region of Peruian coast is under the influence of the Peruvian current & its accompanying two breezes. A white quail with black wings was the commonest bird in the harbour different from the large grey Manguquil. The small flaver like quail was also seen a few frigate birds, landed from the