, and showing by signs that it afforded a
delicious repast!

As if to relieve, somewhat, the feelings of disgust with which they were
oppressed by such sights, the voyagers were regaled with the most
delicious music on the following morning. About two o'clock they were
awakened by the sweet singing of birds, the number of which was
incredible, and their energy so great that they appeared to strain their
throats in emulation of each other. This wild melody was infinitely
superior to anything they had ever heard of the same kind; it seemed to
be like small bells most exquisitely tuned;--perhaps the distance of the
ship from shore, and the water between, may have lent additional charms
to the sound.

Ere long the birds ceased to sing, and the disagreeable subject of the
previous day was recalled by the appearance of a small canoe, in which
was an old man, who, on coming on deck, at once revived the conversation
about eating human flesh.

"But," said Tupia, after some minutes' talk, "I did not see any heads of
your enemies; what do you do with them? do you not eat them too?"

"No," replied the old man, "we only eat the brains, and the next time I
come I will bring off some of them to convince you that what I have told
you is true."

That same day some of the sailors found on shore near an oven three
human hip-bones, which they brought on board, and Mr Monkhouse, the
surgeon, discovered and took on board the hair of a man's head.

Here also they saw practised a remarkably simple and ingenious method of
catching fish, which we think might be tried with advantage on our own
coasts. Happening to observe a man in his canoe fishing, they rowed
alongside and asked him to draw up his line, which he readily did. At
the end of it they found a net of a circular form, extended by two hoops
about seven or eight feet in diameter. The top was open, and sea-ears
were fastened to the bottom as bait. This he let down so as to lie upon
the ground until he thought fish enough had assembled over it. Then he
drew it up by an extremely gentle and even motion, so that the fish rose
with it, scarcely sensible (it is supposed) that they were being lifted,
until near the surface of the water, when they were brought out in the
net by a sudden pull!

The ingenuity of the New Zealanders appeared in nothing more than in
their canoes, of which the following description is in Cook's own words:

"They are long and narrow, and in shape very m