Atoll research bulletin (1995) (20352651891)

Title: Atoll research bulletin
Identifier: atollresearchbu426434smit (find matches)
Year: 1951 (1950s)
Authors: Smithsonian Institution. Press; National Research Council (U. S. ). Pacific Science Board; Smithsonian Institution; National Museum of Natural History (U. S. ); United States. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife
Subjects: Coral reefs and islands; Marine biology; Marine sciences
Publisher: Washington, D. C. : (Smithsonian Press)
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library



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Figure 35. View of old camp of Japanese feather poachers, Peale Island. Wake Island atoll. July 30, 1923. nail at the back and probably served to hold the bird's body during skinning. An apron at the front covered the lap of the laborer. There were large numbers of trays 18 inches by four feet to dry birds and a rack of bamboo at one side to support them. Barrels and boxes of plaster paris were found and a bale of oakum. In one box were several hundred small sticks with oakum wound about them suitable for necks for birds. Scattered among the trees behind were great layers of bones, witnesses to the slaughter that had taken place. The majority were those of terns with many boobies and larger numbers of man-of-war bird. Many thousand birds had been destroyed. The houses were built of half-inch boards on a light frame with roof of galvanized iron. The living quarters had windows of glass. A small storehouse was set on poles six feet from the ground with tin guards around the poles to prevent marauding rats and crabs from climbing up. Two smaller buildings had fallen over on the ground. Two wooden cisterns of small size were noted, several large water jars, and similar things. A stay of several months had been made without doubt. It is my belief that the camp is 14 or 15 years old. In other words that the work had been done at the same time as in Laysan and probably as in Lisiansky. It is possible that one firm arranged for the taking of birds on all three islands. The huts are unquestionably of Japanese build as they show Japanese workmanship, Japanese material, and many boards are marked with Japanese ideographs. About two p.m. we hoisted sail and returned to camp. Worked until dark but had a number of birds left unskinned. July 31, Tuesday A heavy rain fell during the night and beat through my light tent giving me a wetting while asleep. This morning I put the fly over it to remedy matters, something that I have not had to do before. Prepared specimens until ten and then collected terns and other birds on Wilkes Island until noon. It was clear and hot all day with only one or two light showers of rain.