She nio«rt of shearwaters and the shrill calls of terns on the island 
a mile away mingle in a subdued monotone, the air is oool and the water warm. 
We meditate on the strange creatures about us and finally mindful of long 
houfs of work: on the morrow begin the return to camp. 
Pie end . 
Such then is the life and a hint of a history of our remoter 
possessions in Hawaii. Some may contend that the birds found here 
represent potential injui^r to important fishing industries, but on 
examination we find suoh statements Triiolly without basis as shearwaters, 
albatross, and related forms feed mainly on squid and the fish-eating 
boobies prey largely on flying fishes, of no great value. On the other 
hand in the past these same birds have built up great guano deposits 
exploited for tremendous profits and further deposits of like nature are 
developing slowly today. 
To the ignorant the islands that we have visited may seem worthless 
but we may rejoice that they are held in a reservation under wise govern¬ 
mental supervision that may insure continuance for diverse oruatures of 
interesting form and habit, harmless in their cantaot with man, and aside 
from their aesthetic appeal of deoidod value as a oertain food supply to 
the unfortunate who may ohanoe to be oastaway on these inhospitable shores. 
