THE FABALLONES 



Bird inhabited rocks are characteristic of the California 

 coast. Tourists will recall one off the Cliff House at San 

 Francisco, as well as the one at Cypress Point, near Mon- 

 terey. But, California's famous bird islands, are the Faral- 

 lones, which are not only the largest in the state, but in the 

 Union. 



To the visiting ornithologist, this avian metropolis is the 

 strongest attraction of our Pacific Coast. Distant only 

 thirty miles from San Francisco, it may be reached by tug 

 in three or four hours of as uncomfortable sailing as one is 

 likely to encounter in a life time at sea. 



Excellent lodging is to be obtained with the keeper of 

 the Farallone Light, or his assistants, who give even the 

 unexpected visitor that unmistakably cordial, eager wel- 

 come one generally receives where guests are infrequent. 



The Farallones have an extended history. Discovered by 

 Ferelo in 15-13, they were first described by Sir Francis 

 Drake in 1579, and, not to mention a number of less import- 

 ant articles, have been the basis of papers by Emerson 

 (1888; 1903), Barlow (1898), Loomis (1896)', and Kay 

 (1904). But, these descriptions, as well as verbal accounts, 

 and pictures had poorly prepared me to realize the beauty 

 of the islands and the marvel of their bird-life. 



One is first impressed with the size of the islands ; in 

 place of a mere rock inhabited by birds, because it is not 

 habitable by man, one finds an island nearly a mile long 

 with an area of about 100 acres. A coast line of extreme 

 irregularity, set with great masses of detached rock or bor- 

 dering islets, and an unusually diversified surface, not only 

 adds to the charm and interest of the island but materially 

 increase its apparent dimensions. 



Hills, — mountains, almost they seem, — caves, amphi- 



