224 THE MARVELLOUS HUMMING-BIRD. 



Myriads of sea-birds are found on the shore. 

 And on some islands close by, successive genera- 

 tions have made their home for centuries. 



As no rain falls/ the droppings of the birds 

 have been accumulating for ages, and would 

 remain undisturbed, if man had not found out then- 

 value. His ships go constantly to fetch away the 

 bird-manure, or guano, as it is called. It is of 

 the greatest benefit to the farmer, and used by 

 him to enrich his land. Not a mine of gold or 

 silver could be more important. 



