272 



CALIFORNIA BIRD STUDIES 



Off the coast near Monterey, are a number of rocky 

 islets, some of which are inhabited by Brandt's Cormorants. 

 An island of this character not far off shore above Cypress 

 Point, is one of the features of the "Seventeen Mile Drive". 

 There are similar islands at Point Lobos, about six miles 

 further south. We attempted to land on them on May 29, 

 but were prevented by the surf. 



Cormorant Rocks near Point Lobos 



The Cormorants were now gathering grass for their 

 nests, from an island almost within a stone 's throw of the 

 mainland. They appeared, as a rule, from the south, 

 alighted at the edge of the island, a cliff some thirty feet in 

 height, waddled awkwardly to the undipped grass, pulled a 

 bill-full, waddled back to the cliff-border, threw themselves 

 into the air on outstretched wings and, flying toward the 

 north, returned to their nesting rock which was immediately 

 back of the one on which they were "haying". 



