CHAPTER XII 



THE BIRDS OF THE ISLANDS 



SAN CLEMENTE does not offer an especially 

 attractive place for birds, yet there are many 

 which live there the year around, and many 

 more are visitants during the great annual migrations 

 north and south. 



The only water on the island is that found at the 

 various windmills, in the dams of the canons, in various 

 seeping springs, and in the natural water tanks. About 

 these places the most birds are found, that is, the land 

 birds; the island has, of course, a large number of sea 

 birds which habitually live there. The verdure of the 

 island is very limited. The choya cactus, the snake 

 cactus, and the ordinary tuna abound, and on the 

 ridges will often be seen lines of ironwoods {Lyono- 

 thamnus), which at a distance have the appearance of 

 weird animals, — some like snakes, others like huge 

 insects, taking many and interesting shapes, influ- 

 enced by the wind and island conditions. In the 

 canons are found many shrubs and trees, the wild 

 cherry {Primus), with shining glossy leaves, being 

 particularly noticeable. These and others afford pro- 

 tection to the various birds which doubtless have 

 carried seeds here. The eucalyptus and other trees 

 have been planted, and trees of every kind would 

 grow if water could be developed. The great mesas 

 of the middle island region are planted with grain 



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