OF SHOOTING AND FISHING = 127 
high sombre hills formed the background, and as 
both water and sky were blue, the scene was very 
beautiful. Astern floated our punt, so drawing it 
up I got in and unfastening the painter, sculled 
off to the rock. I noticed that a number of blue 
herons (Ardea herodias) sailed away as I ap- 
proached, but their big nests could be seen on the 
high places. The gulls, which were Californian 
(Larus californicus) and a few ringed (Larus 
delawarensis), were perfectly fearless, sitting 
around on the rocks, while I drew the punt out 
on some pebbles and prepared for a bath. 
There is nothing more delightful than a swim 
in these briny waters, provided the brine is kept 
out of the nose and eyes. The skin tingles with 
the irritation, and a feeling of wellbeing is im- 
parted. Swimming is difficult owing to the den- 
sity, but as sinking is impossible, one can be par- 
tially submerged and enjoy a rest. After my bath 
I looked for nests. The rock, which was a mass 
of quartsite, had a gull’s nest on nearly every flat 
spot. Ona number of the highest pinnacles, those 
of herons’ were seen, perhaps a dozen in all. They 
were large and built of grease wood, rabbit brush, 
and sage, and in one I noticed the dried-up re- 
mains of a carp. Eggs or young birds were in 
each, but while we were upon the rock, the old 
herons remained on the main island, or flew about 
at a respectful distance. The gulls’ eggs were 
larger than those of kittiwakes, but smaller than 
herring gulls’, and presented Sethe; variations 
in colour and markings. § be 
Wutarcts. 
ieee 
