Nov., 1911 
ANOTHER FORTNIGHT ON THE EARALLONES 
175 
promptly; the rest crowd to the edges. Fear becomes panic, and panic rout; while 
the gulls swarm down to feast on the abandoned eggs. 
It is possible that conditions would improve were the island absolutely unin- 
habited. The “West End” is preserved from human invasion with a fair degree 
of rigor; but ten men marooned on government service require some little breath- 
ing space and cannot always wait on the affairs of foolish Mnrres. The tradition 
holds, and will till the end of time — or until such time as the Government decides 
which it will protect, Murres or Gulls. 
There was a steady increase in the number of Murres hauling out upon the 
ledges up to May 30, when the movement ceased. The Murres enjoy a wide and 
practically general distribution throughout the group, but the larger colonies are on 
Fig. 50. A MOUNTAIN RANGE IN MINIATURE 
VIEW ON SOUTHEAST FARALEON ROOKING SOUTH 
the off-shore rocks and outermost promontories. Thus, Seal Rock, or “Saddle- 
back”, as it is called locally, lying southwest from the keepers’ houses, was black 
with them above the range of the lions. In like manner, Sugar Loaf and its asso- 
ciated rocks on the northeast presented most favorable conditions. A fiat-topped 
rock at the extreme west end and the great arch hard by, perhaps came next in 
point of numbers, but the slopes and ledges on the north side of Maintop harbor 
thousands, and Indian Head became so popular latterly that we did not go near it. 
The “great Murre cave”, likewise, at the extreme eastern end of the island, did 
not dare visit latterly, although it is quite certain that it does not nearly measure 
up to its ancient standards in point of population. 
