iSSs.j Turner on Birds of the Nearer Islands, Alaska. K^ 



of Ducks and Geese which breed there. On the northern side of 

 the island the shore is precipitous, rising at several localities 

 several hundred feet, and abounds in niches, ledges, and crevices 

 where breed vast numbers of Puffins, Auks, Murres, and Guille- 

 mots, which find an abundance of food in the neighboring sea. 



Agattoo Island forms the southwest portion of the group, and 

 is of considerable size, being but slightly less than Attoo, and 

 much larger than Semechi. The shores of this island are more 

 elevated and abrupt, having many indentations, at the head of 

 which small streams issue from the larger lakes. The general 

 character of the surface is undulating, though much broken, being 

 everywhere intersected by a network of ravines and valleys, sep- 

 arating hills and mountains, some of which latter are over 1600 

 feet in height. These valleys and the lower grounds contain 

 many lakes, in which is found an abundance of fresh-water vege- 

 tation. High grasses and other plants crown the cliffs and occupy 

 the tops of rocks, affording suitable nesting places for various 

 Auks and Puffins. Thousands of Geese ai'e also hatched here. 

 Here too the Snowy Owl and two species of Hawks breed, the 

 young of the water birds affording them abundant food. The only 

 mammals occurring on either Semechi or Agattoo are marine 

 species — the sea-otter, sea-lion, some three species of hair-seals. 

 An occasional fur-seal may also be seen in the vicinity. 



Attoo is the largest of the group, and has an east and west exten- 

 sion of nearly thirty-five miles, and a breadth of nearly fourteen 

 miles. The shore is remarkably indented, often for several miles, 

 forming bays and coves. The shores are mostly abrupt, with but 

 little beach, excepting in certain places on portions of the north- 

 ern side and eastern end of the island, where several wide-mouthed 

 valleys gradually rise toward the hillsides, which in most instanc- 

 es are very steep. Attoo is much more mountainous than either 

 of the other islands of the group. The mountains are high, ris- 

 ing in a few instances above 2500 feet, and are accessible only by 

 most fatiguing ascents, the approaches to the summits being steep 

 and difficult. The mountain range extends length-wise through 

 the island, with several spurs of irregular height shooting oft' at 

 various angles from the main range. The valleys, some of which 

 are quite broad, are traversed by streams, two of which, issuing 

 from large lakes, are of great size. The sides of the hills and the 

 valleys are plentifully clothed with vegetation, and many berries 



