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 cliffs, 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 ou 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 land there. 
SIVUTCH ROCK. 
Sivutch Rock is a little crescent-shaped rocky islet about a third of a mile off 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. 
