290 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Proc. 4th Seb. 



Explanation, Plate 15 

 FARALLON ISLANDS BIRD ROOKERY 



In this group, presented to the California Academy of Sciences by 

 Hon. Wm. H. Crocker, are shown the ten species of sea birds and the 

 one land bird (the little rock wren) that breed on the Farallon Islands. 

 These rocky islands are about thirty miles off the Golden Gate, from 

 which they may be seen on any clear day. Thousands of sea birds resort 

 to these cliffs to lay their eggs and rear their young, one of the most 

 common species being the Western Gull, which, during the rest of the 

 year, is very abundant about San Francisco, following the ferry boats 

 across the bay. 



Until a few years ago thousands of Murre's eggs were brought each 

 year from these rookeries and sold in San Francisco to the bakeries 

 and pastry shops. The islands are now a Federal reservation and the 

 birds and their eggs are rigidly protected. 



The species of birds shown in this group are the following: Tufted 

 Puffin, Brandt's Cormorant, Baird's Cormorant, Farallon Cormorant, 

 Pigeon Guillemot, Western Gull, California Murre, Ashy Petrel, Kaeding's 

 Petrel, Cassin's Auklet, and Rock Wren, the last being the only land bird 

 that breeds on these islands. 



Group prepared under the direction of Paul J. Fair. 



Background painted by Maurice G. Logan. 



Photo by Gabriel Moulin. 



