A Trip to the Farallones. 



irrepressible western gulls, too, were 

 abroad at night, and their note sounded 

 as a pensive wail, indescribably weird 

 and mournful as it mingled with the 

 creaking of innumerable auklets, the 

 roar of the waves, and the wind whist- 

 ling about the sharp points of rock. 



Although many land birds rest upon 

 the inhospitable Farallone rocks during 

 the migration season, and not a few fly 

 against its powerful light to be dashed 

 to death, only two species remain there 

 to nest — the raven, which is rare and 

 frequents only the most inaccessible 

 portions, and the friendly little rock- 

 wren, which is extremely abundant, nest- 

 ing all over the lower levels. 



Our visit was all too short for us 

 to become fully acquainted with the 

 host of strange birds, and it was with 

 many regrets that we received word to 

 embark. A brisk head wind was blow- 

 ing as we put to sea, and there was no 

 alternative to being shut in below deck 

 and letting our cockle-shell be tossed 



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