Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-08-09
The Farallones.

Some particulars relative to these rocky islets,
the Farallones--collected from various sources
may interest our readers. The FaraIlones are
in the Pacific Ocean, within the legislative lin
its of the city and county of San Francisco
They embrace the northerly, middle and south
oasterly groups The northerly cluster is made
up of five rocks; the middle is single rock
the southerly is the largest. The last is two
miles in circumference. Upon it the lighthouse
stands, the top of the tower of which is 800 feet
above the level of the sea- This island is about
% IL miles westward from the Golden Gate.
1t is really difficult to imagine more desolate
place than these rocky islets present to view,
they being mass of jagged granite Neither
a tree nor shrub relieves the eye by contrast,
or gives change to the exceeding barrenness of
the landscape.
Collectively, these isets may be considered as
the most extensive poultry yard in the world,
for here may be found in myriads the bird de-
scribed by Button as the GuiltamOt-the Uria
IrOite Of Linn@us-which lays its eggs upon
the bare rocks. The appellation of the I" Fool
ish Guillamot' has been given to this species by
Latham, from the fact of its being with difficulty
reused to flight, and often allowing itself to be
caught by the hand, particularly during incu
baton. Audubon, In his great national work,
gives charming account Of the habits OF this
interesting species (the .Murre0 which is also
known to the eggers and fishermen OF the North
ern Atlantic. Some idea may be formed of their
numbers when it is known that each bird, dur
ing the season, lays but a single egg, and that
since 1851 upwards OF five million of their eggs
have been sold in the San Francisco market.
/ They are OF pale green color, blotched with
lumber, and are much in demand in restaurants.
The egg season lasts about six weeks, from the
middle of May to the end Of June.
The bird of the most varied and brilliant plu-
mage to be found here is the Tufled Putin.-
Though rather numerous on this coast, it is else"
where very rare, as is the Horned bill Guillamot,
which has been also seen and caught here. Of
neither of these had Audubon ever met with
living specimen. Here also, may be seen the
hugo seals, called sea lions, (PhOca Otarid Ju-
bata.) This species attains weight of 5000
pounds. Occasionally they are very savage,
particularly during the nuptal season, when the
fierce and bloody battles Of the males render these
isles of the ocean a very pandemonlum.
A fog whistle, six inches in diameter, has been
placed at the south side of the eastern part of
the largest island, about 275 feet above the wa
ter. 1t is erected over natural hole in the roof
OF a subterranean passage, connected with and
open to the ocean, and is blown by the rush Of
air through the passage, caused by the sea break
ing into his mouth. Except about an hour be-
fore and after high water, the whistle should be
heard at all times, even at distance of seven
or eight miles. The vast advantage of this in
geni0us invention cannot be too highly appreci-
ated by navgators on this coast, where fogs are
50 frequent.
The title to these islands is, most probably,
in the Federal Government. However, they did
not escape the avariciops eye Of Limantour, as
they were included in the gigantic swindle. :"
San Francisco Bulletin.