198 THE IMPORTANCE OF BIRD LIFE 



only guano from arid, rainless localities retains 

 full strength for any prolonged period of time 

 and is accounted as the best quality of fertilizer. 



The dry coast of Peru is perhaps the most 

 ideally situated region in the world for the pro- 

 duction and preservation of the raw material. In 

 addition to an abundance of food for the sea- 

 birds in the ocean currents which sweep the coast, 

 some sections have virtually no rainfall, others 

 less than an inch per annum. A few miles off 

 the lower central part of the coast rise three small 

 rocky islets, known as the Chincha Islands, which 

 are the home of millions of guano-producing birds. 

 Rain is almost an unheard of phenomenon, and 

 the guano accumulated there in an absolutely pure 

 state for many centuries. Farther north lie other 

 islands, the Lobos group, which, though situated 

 in a slightly damper climate, are also famed for 

 their deposits. It was from these two groups that 

 for many years came the world's main supply of 

 natural guano. 



But Chile and Peru are not the only countries 

 in the world where guano, or its products, are ob- 

 tained. It is found in lesser quantities on the 

 coasts of Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. 

 The West Indies have produced a small amount. 

 Shark Bay and 'Swan Island have supplied some 

 to Australia. There are deposits on many islands 

 in the Pacific. Guano is also found in Algoa and 

 Saldanha bays near Cape Colony, on Ascension 



