38 



THE MUSEUM. 



The Great Arch. 15'J ft. high, tenanted by Muires and 

 Cormorants. 



lone" weed carpets the island. Aside 

 from the birds there are many inte- 

 resting features to be noted. On some 

 of the rocks adjoining the island are 

 herds of sea-lions. Rabbits, too, are 

 to be seen on every hand scurrying 

 about among the rocks. The light- 

 house which is one of the first order, 

 towers above all at the summit of the 

 highest peak — 320 feet above the sea 

 and its flashing light can be seen 

 many miles. There are also caves of 

 interest at various points ot the island 

 and an immense natural arch through 

 which the sea rushes, which is at least 

 100 feet high. In winter I am told 

 that the sight of the breakers is grand 

 beyond description and the spray has 

 been known to go over a rock 200 feet 

 high. 



For ages past the different Sea 

 Fowl have come to the rocky cliffs to 

 nest each year and it would be a hope- 

 less task to estimate their numbers. 

 There are ten species of birds that or- 



dinarily nest on the Island — Tufted 

 Puffin, Cassm's Auklet, Pigeon Guille- 

 mot, Cala. Murre, Western Gull, Far- 

 allone, Brandt's and Baird's Cormo- 

 rants, Ashy Petrel and Rock Wren. 



The Cala. Murre greatly exceeds in 

 numbers any species inhabiting the 

 cliffs and nests in rookeries, usually 

 near the summits of the peaks. For 

 years their eggs have been collected 

 for the San Francisco markets where 

 they meet with ready sale as they are 

 twice the size of a hen's egg and are 

 used by bakeries in the manufacture 

 of pastry of all kinds. The Murres 

 are peaceably inclined and are much 

 imposed upon by the Gulls who steal 

 their eggs ac every opportunity, In 

 two visits to the island I have never 

 succeeded in finding a young Murre, 

 but it is probable that the Murres suc- 

 ceed in hatching their eggs late in the 

 season when the eggers have ceased 

 to collect. 



On the west end of the Island is 



