16 
SURVIVAL, OK LAKD AKI) SEA 
fin ray thus leaving a perfect “eye” for the accommodation of 
thread. 
A light at night will often attract fish. Flying fish are edible 
and may be netted. If a piece of cloth is held over the boat 
and light is thrown on it flying fish often jump toward it and 
will land in the boat. Shark flesh may be eaten, although it may 
taste somewhat oily. It is safe to eat flesh of fish and of birds 
which has a phosphorescent glow. Extra fish can be cleaned and 
dried so they will last several days. If large, cut them into 
small thin strips, wash with salt water and hang up the strips 
to dry. Some kinds of fish are poisonous or venomous. For 
information on them see the discussion of fishing under “Is- 
land Survival.” 
All birds are good to eat. There are numerous cases of men 
in lifeboats and on rafts catching birds, so if any come near 
make every effort to catch them. Some kinds can be caught 
on a b'aited hook and line. Their blood is both nourishing and 
thirst quenching. The intestines make good bait, and bird skins 
and feathers may be used for improvised hats or garments. 
Turtles are also good to eat and their blood is suitable for 
drinking. Eels are edible, but certain types resemble sea snakes 
which are found in the tropical parts of the Pacific and Indian 
Oceans. Sea snakes do not attack swimmers but are poisonous, 
and should be left alone. Their flesh is edible but you might 
be bitten trying to land one. They are easily distinguished 
from eels because they have bony plates or scales covering 
their heads and bodies and have compressed flattened tails, 
while eels do not. In swimming, eels glide easily through the 
water, while sea snakes tend to wriggle as snakes do on land. 
Most sea snakes, however, stay close to the coast in shallow 
