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pp. 276-296. 

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THE BIRD COLONIES OF THE OLYMPIADES. 



BY WILLIAM LEON DAWSON. 



The recent creation by executive order of three reserves among 

 the islands which lie off the west coast of Washington has served 

 to call attention for the first time, in an ornithological way at least, 

 to this hitherto little-known coast. The reasons for previous neg- 

 lect are not far to seek. No really safe harbors offer, for even 

 the smallest craft, between the mouth of Gray's Harbor, Lat. 46° 56'" 

 N., and the Straits of Juan de Fuca, Lat. 48° 24' N. The prevail- 

 ing winds are westerly, and the aspect of the coast so menacing, as 

 viewed from the seaward side, that mariners have always given it a 

 wide berth, save when seized by some hapless mischance of reckon- 

 ing or tackle. 



No commercial exploitation of the tributary country has been 

 attempted, beyond the preempting of timber lands some twenty 

 years ago, and the occupation by hardy settlers of a few small 

 prairies and rich alluvial bottoms. Only recently a spur of the 

 Northern Pacific Railway has been built from Hoquiam, on Gray's 

 Harbor, to Moclips, on the coast; and this latter point marks nearly 

 the northern extension of a splendid sea-beach, hard as macadam, 

 which stretches south, practically to the Columbia River. To the 

 north of Moclips the beginning of the rough way is marked by 

 Point Grenville, and the ocean drive becomes a tradition. 



