Nov., 1911 
ANOTHER FORTNIGHT ON THE FARALLONES 
17.1 
practically every species of the eastern Mniotiltidce should report sooner or later at 
this inho,spitable rock. We are not, of course, to suppose that it posse.sses unusual 
attractions for them. It is only that the slight percentage of alien blood always 
present in our coastwise migrations is here more readily, almost inevitably, 
detected. 
As to the relative abundance of the staple forms the writer is ill-prepared to 
record conclusions. The Murres are said to be less abundant than in the days of 
the eggers. If this be so, it is because of the domination of the Western Gull — 
this and the ravages of the crude-oil plague. The region just outside of the Golden 
Gate is especially cursed by this unlawful practice, the cleaning out of the water 
{and oil zvastc) ballast of the “tankers” just previous to entering the harbor. 
That this is an active factor in bird destruction is attested by the abundance of oil- 
soaked carcasses which line the sparse beaches of the southeast Farallon. Murres 
are the chief sufferers, but Grebes, Loons, Scoters, and Pigeon Guillemots are fre- 
quent victims, and the destruction goes relentlessly on in winter as well as summer. 
The statement sometimes made that Murres outnumber all other species 
combined upon the island is certainly ill considered. Cassin Anklets probably 
outnumber them two or three to one. The Petrels are a close second to the Auklets, 
and the Murres may come in third. Other resident species are represented in 
fair proportions, — all, that is, save the Farallon Cormorants. This colony has suf- 
fered from too much attention, human as well as Larine, and its numbers are 
slowly declining. But it is a very difficult task for humans to restore the “bal- 
ance” of Nature. The wrinkled old dame is under no contract to maintain equal- 
ity among the species, and laisscz faire is perhaps the best motto for us. We can 
be virtuous (or at least moderate) ourselves, Imt we cannot settle disputes among 
Nature’s children. 
Below follows an irregularly annotated list of all the species observed on the 
southeast Farallon from May 20 to June .3, 1911. 
1. Gaviaimmer. Loon. One adult seen in Fisherman’s Bay within twenty 
feet of shore, June 2nd. 
2. Lunda cirrhata. Tufted Puffin. Present throughout our stay and breed- 
ing to the number of several thousand. Athough eggs, and these somewhat ad- 
vanced in incubation, were to be found at tlie outset, there was a notable increase 
in numbers of these birds during the earlier days of our visit, and this movement 
did not culminate till about the 28th of May. Breeding is conducted chiefly on 
the West End and on the higher portions of Tower Hill. The birds have little 
opportunity for digging in earth, and little occasion for providing fresh burrows, 
since crannies and crevices of every sort abound. Many of these retreats have been 
worked in the softer strata of the rocks themselves, and bear evidence of occupa- 
tion measured by cycles rather thaii by generations. Many eggs or sitting birds 
are visible from the surface, and some of the nesting sites are nothing more than 
the innermost recesses of niches and caves occupied by Murres. 
.3. Ptychoramphus aleuticus. Cassin Anklet. The Cassin Auklets are evcry- 
■where. Burrows predominate, but there is not a cleft, nook, crack, cranny, fis- 
sure, aperture, retreat, niche, cave, receptacle, or hidey-hole from the w^ater’s 
edge to the summit of the light-tower which is not likely to harbor this ubiquitous 
bird. The interstices of the stone walls contain them to the number of thousands. 
Every cavity not definitely occupied by puffin, petrel, or rabbit is tenanted by an 
Auklet; and in many cases quarters are shared. If one’s imagination is not suf- 
ficiently stimulated by regular occurrences, it will be jogged by appearances in un- 
