210 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XV 
we fig-ured about i, 800,000 birds, as the population of the island. The gulls were 
not considered in this estimate, as their young were too scattered and the nests 
too hard to locate. 
AVe became very much interested in 
estimating the amount of fish these birds 
consumed per day. We noted the amount 
each young cormorant threw up when 
molested, and found on several occasions 
a bunch of fish as big as a man’s two fists. 
This mass was generally composed of surf 
fish, smelt and sardines. I have heard of 
other estimates of from three to- six sar- 
dines a day for a cormorant, so I consider 
a half pound of fish a day very conserv- 
ative. 
Allowing half a pound of fish a day for 
each of the 1,800,000 birds, the entire 
population would consume about four hun- 
dred tons a day or about ten thousand 
tons a month ! The fishing was done in San 
Quentin bay, exclusively, but in that bay 
and in Hassler’s Cove, on the island, fish 
were found very plentiful, and always 
liungry. showing that the birds do not 
seriously lessen the number of fish. 
Fig. 64 . Young Osprey, San iMARTm Phalacrocorax penicillatus. Brandt Cor- 
ISEAND, Lower Caeifornia morant. Present in large numbers, though 
not SO' numerous as the last. On the north side the young gathered in big droves 
and resembled Penguins as they tried to waddle out of our way. 
Pelecaniis califomieus. California Brown Pelican. Nesting in considerable 
numbers on the southern shores. 
Ardea herodias. Great Blue Heron. Several pairs 
were breeding in a hollow on the southeast side. There 
were five nests containing three young each. 
Haematopus frazari. Frazar Oystercatcher. Several 
seen along the shores. 
Haematopus bachmani. Black Oystercatcher. Fairly 
abundant along sheltered portions of the shores. Sev- 
eral found on a little lagoon on the east side. They 
api^eared to be breeding but no nests were found. 
Pandioii haliaetus carolinensis. American Osprey. 
There are al)Out thirty pairs breeding on this island. 
We counted thirty-five nests, one containing two partly 
grown young. The birds used the other nests as 
look-outs. EY 1 i\r r fi nil Pig- 65. Rock Wren, San 
Aluco pratmcola. Barn Owl. My father tfusnecl a martin Island, Lower 
“big yellow owl” from a blow-hole in the lava on the California. 
south side. 
Salpinctes obsoletus. Rock Wren. Very abundant and very tame. Were 
easily approached for photographic purposes. 
