V ° 1 'l906^ 111 ] Bailey, Notes on Birds of Western Mexico. 373 



cut a narrow trail to the top, about nine inches wide, and while 

 they ran easily up and down it, most novices perspire freely from 

 fear the first few times of ascent and descent. It was not long, 

 however, before I could go up and down without this inconvenience, 

 but I was never able, with my heavy boots, to do so with the ease 

 that the natives did with their bare feet or light leather soles. 



After seeing my stuff safely stored in the tent, which Mr. Beer- 

 maker most kindly shared with me, I set out for the top of the 

 island, and after the experience just related in connection with the 

 trail I gained the top. On casting my eyes about, rather a novel 

 sight met my gaze. A gang of natives were picking up chunks of 

 guano, a few pairs of Man-o'-War Birds floated lazily overhead, 

 screaming Red-billed Tropic Birds circled the rock, Boobies were 

 coming and going to their roosting places on the sides of the cliffs, 

 and on either hand were the wooded islands. The rest of the day 

 was spent in a systematic search of the island, and I returned to 

 camp well satisfied with my first day's work. The next day work 

 commenced in earnest, numerous birds, lizards and photographs 

 being secured, and out of a cover from a dry goods box, supported 

 by four sticks, a skinning table was erected under the shelter of 

 the overhanging cliff. 



As White Rock contained no water for drinking and cooking, 

 and as the only wood was the drift wood the waves brought in, 

 we were compelled to send the canoe to Cleofa Island about 

 every third day for water and wood. I decided to accompany 

 the canoe party on its first trip after my arrival, and, with gun, 

 collecting pistol, and camera, left camp about 6 a. m. The stream 

 in Cleofa having the most water and nearest to our camp came 

 down from the hills on the seaward side of the island, and this 

 necessitated our landing through the surf. The landing was 

 successfully made, and after a full day spent on the island I 

 returned to the canoe loaded down with birds, every pocket of 

 my skeleton coat filled, and some dozen or more good photo- 

 graphs. 



But no such good luck attended our departure. On the first 

 attempt to launch the canoe we were swamped by the breakers, 

 and the canoe being overturned, I lost my gun, my birds were 

 spoiled for specimens, and my camera was nearly ruined. On 

 a second trial, however, we passed safely through. 



