" On first n earing the shores, and mostly on fine calm
moonlight nights, the turtle raises her head above the
water, being still distant thirty or forty yards from the
beach, looks around her, and attentively examines the
objects on the shore. Should she observe nothing likely
on the shore to disturb her intended operations, she emits
a loud hissing sound, by which such of her enemies as
are unaccustomed to it are startled, and so are apt to re-
move to another place, although unseen by her. Should
she hear any noise, or perceive indications of danger, she
instantly sinks and goes off to a considerable distance ;



Depositing Eggs. 261

but should every thing be quiet, she advances slowly to-
wards the beach, crawls over it, her head raised to the
full stretch of her neck, and when she has reached a
place fitted for her purpose she gazes all round in silence.
