32 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



is about three times as great as that of St. Paul. The coast line is for the most part 

 a succession of steep, rocky cliifs, breaking at intervals into short stretches of rocky 

 slope. High Bluff', on the north shore, with an elevation of over 1,000 feet being the 

 highest. The perpendicular cliffs and crevices among the bowlders in the upland 

 portions of the island are the homes of innumerable sea birds. There are practically 

 no sand beaches on the island, and the shore space available for rookery purposes is 

 limited. By blasting off the cliffs it might, however, be greatly extended. 



OTTER ISLAND. 



Otter Island is situated on the south of St. Paul Island and about 6 miles distant 

 from it. It is said to be the only island of the group which shows evidence of recent 

 volcanic action. Its area is very small, being less than 115 acres in extent. Its shores 

 are for the most part inaccessible. At the western end a cinder cone rises in a grassy 

 slope to the height of 300 feet and drops off in a sheer cliff' on the seaward side. At 

 the eastern end is the pit of a crater, connected by a subterranean passageway with 

 the shore. On the northern face the surface of the island slopes down into a low, 

 rocky beach of limited extent, the only one on the island. 



WALRUS ISLAND. 



Walrus Island lies about 7 miles to the east of St. Paul. It is a narrow ledge of 

 lava rock about half a mile in length. It reaches no degree of elevation, and in 

 stormy weather the breakers wash over it. It is the home of countless numbers of 

 sea birds and was formerly frequented by walruses. Sea lions occasionally laud there. 



SIVUTCH ROCK. 



Sivutch Rock is a little crescent-shaped rocky islet about a third of a mile oft' the 

 southern shore of St. Paul. Its area is insignificant, but the island attains some 

 degree of importance through the presence of a small fur-seal rookery, which fills its 

 available space. 



NO GOOD HARBORS. 



There are no harbors of any kind about the islands of the Pribilof group. The 

 bays are small and very shallow. In calm weather, however, there is anchorage for 

 small vessels at various points. In stormy weather it is impossible to load or unload 

 vessels of any kind with safety. Dangerous reefs are found about both islands, and 

 navigation in their vicinity is subject to many risks. 



THE CLIMATE. 



The climate of the Pribilof Islands in summer is damp and chilly. Dense fogs 

 almost constantly envelop them, rain falls frequently, and the sun is seldom seen. 

 The summer temperature ranges between 40 and 45 F., reaching its highest point in 

 August. During June, July, and August but few clear days occur. In September 

 the cold winds sweep away the moisture from the atmosphere and bright days become 

 more numerous. On a clear day the islands are extremely picturesque. Toward the 

 end of October the storms become more violent, and in November winter begins, the 

 change of season being very rapid. 



