SAN MIGUEL 301 



of Science expedition some years ago, and doubtless 

 many migrating birds stop here. Preying on these 

 birds are forty or fifty cats, the progeny of a pair left 

 here by some fishermen years ago. 



The scenery about this little island is picturesque. 

 There are caves in great numbers, and an arch large 

 enough for a yacht to pass through at the northeast 

 point, where the wild sea moans and complains. Near 

 here is a two-chambered cavern thirty feet high, in 

 which cormorants and guillemots lay. In this cave 

 or chamber fresh water drips from the ceiling, accord- 

 ing to J. R. Britton, who has examined it carefully. 

 This furnishes the only supply on the island. A 

 number of sheep live here and doubtless sustain 

 life by drinking this and sparingly of salt water. A 

 similar instance I frequently observed at San Clemente. 

 There are arches through the rocks, double-barrelled 

 ones high above the sea, and the northwest point 

 seems to have been riddled by the action of the 

 waves. Gulls lay their eggs in the brilliant ice plant 

 masses. 



Around Santa Catalina there are several small islands, 

 the largest being Ship Rock off the north coast; and at 

 the entrance of Cabrillo Harbor is Bird Island. Other 

 small islands are, the Cone, at San Clemente, Castle 

 Rock, Wilson Rock, Prince Island, Can Rock, Richard- 

 son Rock, San Miguel, Begg's Rock, White Island, 

 Church Island, and others, their only inhabitants 

 being cormorants, ospreys, and sea-lions. 



There are many interesting fossils found at San 

 Miguel; as Mytilus dementia, Turitella, Conchocla, 

 Callesta, SandeUa, Turbinella, all found by Voy and 

 determined by Cooper. 



