Ten Leagues to the North-West of Guadalupe, and at sixteen Degrees and ten Minutes, appears Deseado, or Desirado, like a Galley, of which the North-East end hath a low Point; to the Northward lie Sand-Hills full of red Veins: It was so call’d by Christopher Columbus in his second Voyage, from obtaining of his Desire, it being the first of the Caribbees which he discover’d, as St. Salvador the first Land in all America.
The Guano.
The Soil is wholly barren, and destitute of Trees, and breeds the amphibious Creatures call’d Guano’s, which in stead of Fins to swim withal, have four Feet; the biggest of them are fifteen Inches long; their Skin full of little Scales shines like Silver, and in the Night they make a loud and shrill noise from the Holes in the Rocks.
The Frigates.
On this desolate Island are an innumerable company of Fowls, call’d Frigates, which have a Body like a Duck, but larger Wings, and flye swifter; so soon as they perceive a Fish in the Water, they falling upon the same, catch them in their Claws, and especially devour abundance of flying Fish.
The Fauves.
But the Fauves, which are much leaner, are no way so swift; they resemble a Moor-Hen, have Feet like Ducks, Bills like a Snipe, and in rainy Nights rest on the Ships in stead of Rocks, so that many times they become an easie prey to the Mariners.
Sect. XVII.
Marigalante.
Situation of Marigalante.
Not far from hence, at fifteen Degrees and forty Minutes, appears Marigalante, like a Wood in the Water.