Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-25

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. D.
w. l., March l5.-Our new islands
are not without interest for the sports
man and nature student, while they
have some natural wealth that is I'M
developed, and some that apparently
has not even been investigated.
There are no indigenous quadru-
peds upon the islands. but deer and
goats were introduced long ago and
have run wild ever since. On St
Croix deer are reported fairly plenti-
full, and it is said that the planters
often xiii FIVE or six in IN afternoon
OF sport. Deer are fewer on St.
Thomas, and they are more difficult
to hunt because of the very rough
and mountainous countr. but few
local hunters kill hem regularly, and
at all times of the year, there are
no game laws.
Wild goats are found upon st.
Thomas and upon several OF the
smaller islands or keys, and &C.
casional parties are organized to hunt
them with rifles.
The only predatory animal upon the
islands is the Indian mongoose, which
was introduced by the planters to tx-
terminate the rats. The mongoose is
a small animal OF the weasel and fer
ret family. 1t has multiplied amaz-
ingly and not only keeps down the
rats, but makes it very difficult to
raise poultry upon the islands. In st.
Croix these animals frequently run
across the roads in front OF automo-
biles.
There is a kind of quail or par
fridge which was introduced, but it
i no longer very abundant. Pigeons
and doves are found on all of the is
lands and are very plentiful at GER
tain times of the year. Green and
blue pigeons and mourning doves are
shot in great numbers on St. Thomas,
st. Croix and many OF the smaller
keys. The birds spend most of their
time high up on the mountains, where
no West Indian would eser think of
going in search of them, but when it
rains they come down to the little
stream courses, which then contain
water. and are shot as they fly about.
On some OF the lsgocns duck and
snipe abound at certain times OF the
year, and plover are shot in the fields.
Other birds are few in species. The
ami, or black witch, is sort OF tropi-
cal blackbird which is famous for Its
communal style OF living, as number
Of them lay their eggs in one nest.
1t is said the bird can be taught to
utter words.
Although snakes do not occur on
the islands, there is a great variety
OF insect life. Cockroaches, feas, i'm
mense house spiders and wood ants
that devour furniture are the main
household pests. There is !. sort of
tick which finds his favorite resting
place under the toe nail, while cent?
pedes are fairly abundant and reach
q large size. A few scorpions are
found. All OF these creatures are
really less troublesome than the NOS
quitoes, which make a bar always
necessary at night, but are seldom
seen. They appear to do all their
hunting in the small hours of the
morning.
wear DOtH ot. lHoIilds anu ~.
Croix there is excellent fishing, the
king fish, barracuda, snapper and
grouper being among the best fish.
The hawksbill turtle, which has a
valuable shell, is found here, and also
the green turtle, whose name is ia
tally linked with soup. There is
sort Of clawless lobster which some
epicures say is the equal Of the New
England kind, while others say it is
not the same at all. Among bivalves'
the whelk is abundant and OCCASION
ally appears upon the table. 1t is
small oyster-like creature concealed
in very large shell, which is hard to
open. Boiled with rice, the whelk
makes a very pleasing dish.
All of the fishing is done by natives
with sailboats and crude equipment.