276 



CALIFORNIA BIRD STUDIES 



large, expressive eyes set in a great head, look one square- 

 ly in the face, it is easier to believe the creature the embodi- 

 ment of the sea than a sea-lion from the rookery on a neigh- 



boring islet. 



Telephoto of Murres on a Near-by Islet 



Ten species of sea birds and a single species of land bird 

 nest upon the Farallones, but the number of individuals by 

 which they are represented, no one has ventured to esti- 

 mate. 



The California Murre, is the most numerous inhabitant 

 of this marine aviary and about tins bird centers the history 

 of the Farallones as egg-yielding islands. 



Among San Francisco bakers, Murres' eggs are con- 

 sidered an acceptable substitute for the product of the poul- 

 try yard, and as early as 1849, they were sold in San Fran- 

 cisco markets. At this period of insufficient food-supply, 

 they brought one dollar per dozen. In 1854, it is stated by 



