398 ROLLICK 



Except for one farm house there is no human habitation on 

 the island, which is a complete wilderness, utilized only as a 

 sheep range, but serving occasionally as a refuge for some of 

 the deer from Naushon, which at times swim over from there. 



Penikese 



This little island, now owned by Mr. Geo. S. Homer, is about 

 J^ square mile in area, and is probably most widely known as 

 having been, during one period of its history, the home of 

 Agassiz's school. It rises from the shore line on all sides to a 

 height of some 85 feet near the center, and is about as barren 

 and unattractive a pile of gravel and bowlders as can well be 

 imagined. The only plant sufficiently conspicuous to attract my 

 attention, was Solaniim rostratiini Dunal, which was growing in 

 abundance around the ruins of the old school. 



Certain species of terns breed there in immense numbers, and 

 while wandering over the nesting grounds I saw perhaps a 

 score or more of this season's young ones hopping and fluttering 

 over the grass and stones, evidently unable to fly. Several were 

 picked up in order to examine them, and in each instance it was 

 found that one or both wings were aborted. The number of 

 these cripples was evidently considerable, as I saw the dead bodies 

 of many others. All, of course, must have died of starvation as 

 soon as they were finally deserted by the old ones. At the time 

 of my visit the entire colony was yet there and the frightened cries 

 of the cripples at once attracted all the birds in the vicinity, who 

 formed a vast whirling cloud, hovering close overhead, indi- 

 viduals from the mass every now and then making closer down- 

 ward swoops and all joining in making a deafening noise. It was 

 a sight alone worth a journey to the island to see. 



Cuttyhunk 



This island is the only one of the group which is divided 

 amongst a number of owners. It has an area of about i ^^ 

 square miles and a maximum elevation, near the center of the 

 eastern end, of about 150 feet. This elevation forms a bold 

 headland, which slopes abruptly to the adjacent shores, while at 



