Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-06-07

On the coast in Mexico about 100
miles south Of here preparations
are being made for an annual af-
fair which furnishes one of the most
unusual attractions in that repub-
lie, with the principal actors yet 20
come upon the scene.
This is the annual "swarming" Of
turtles from the sea onto the beach
there to lay their eggs.
The enemies Of the turtles are be-
ginning to assemble now.
Mexicans who sell the eggs are
beginning to assemble, and 10 camp
on the beach. waiting patiently for
the turtles. Coyotes which eat the
eggs r moving toward the coast.
Vultures are assembling to swoop
down and get their share Of the
loot.
But the main actors, entirely obi
vious OF these preparations. and in
different to them throughout the
entire procedure, are waiting for the
proper tide and moon. when they
will gather in such countless num-
bers as TO resmble a solid beach,
miles long. OF moving turtles hour
by hour for three days.
Only a few Americans have ever
witnessed the scene, which they de-
clare TO be one Of the most inter-
esting they have ever beheld.
Apparently the turtles come 10
this point from almost the entire
waters Of the Gulf Of Mexico. They
pick 1t out because 1t has reefs Of
rocks along the edge of the water.
where the little turtles rush 70 safe
Nv from the fish, If they are lucky
enough to get 10 the water alive.
The scene was described by q local
man who witnessed ii two years ago.
He said the turtles come out and
lay their eggs during the early
part OF June. the time varying
with the tide and moon.
They come out in such droves SIS
to literally cover the beach, with
their shells clicking against each
other. There is a continuous click
ing noise as the vast army Of tur-
ties moves about on the beach. The
turtles r from one TO two feet in
diameter.
They are so thick when they come
out that the Mexican egg-hunters
frequently walk along on the turf
les backs without touching the
ground. and the turtles pay no at
tention TO them.
The turtles come out Of the water
and 90 about their work with q
b~usiness-like atmosphere. similar 70
a bee. being entirely oblivious of the
egg-hunters. the vultures. the coy
otes. and other animals or birds
which may be around.
They crawl along the beach until
they find a suitable place in the
sand. then carefully dig a hole n
the sand, sit in this hole, and deposit
from 90 TO rs eggs.
Then the turtle carefully covers
this nest with sand, and -conceals
it by scratching up the surface Of
the sand surrounding il for a num-
Der Of feet, so that the exact spot
can not be found.
The turtle may do this ~copcealing
work carefully while a man stands
a few feet away and watches II.
All the reptile is interested in is
hiding its eggs.
There are so many thousands %
them that NJ matter how many
coyotes, egg-hunter humans. and
vultures there are around the turtle
succeeds in hiding enough Of its
eggs to increase its species. The
beach Is literally turned into one
zuCe incubator for miles in each
direction.
AS oon as the first turtle lays
its eggs the fight is on. The Mexi-
can e~gg-hunters start digging, care
fully SO as not TO break the valu-
able egg. They collect them b. the
thousands and rush them TO Mex
leo City. Monterrey. and other large
cities Of Mexico. where they bring
high prices as a delicacy on the
menus OF the leading restaurants
and dining rooms.
The coyotes start digging, and get
fat on eggs for weeks after the tur-
ties are through laying them.
The vultures swoop down and grab
a few eggs. frequently almost fight
ing with the coyotes I've them.
All this time the turtle tends
strictly to its business, and fills the
Sand with eggs in such numbers that
Is Is impossible for the enemies Of