(3970904- 158

My, Sen He Thompson
Page 2. . January 15, 1958

animale and plants that are compelled io renwain on amall insular unite
ean become unnaturally medified by gene action.

In addition te ovtlying islands acting as modified buffer areas, they all
serve as parts of an impertant corridor permitting natural evolution by dispereaal
in animals end plants. Lakes and ponde of brackish water on the cutiying
4elande are needed by the several shere-birds and water~birda that inhabit
the general area of the park, Control of marine waters enclosed within the
proposed park boundary permits effectively eontrelling beat traffie and oly
then can adequate sanctuaries be created for the three species of marine turtles
and other wary forme of marine life,

Kathetic considerations: The island and eays adjacent te St. John
somplanent the Virgin i¢lands Park and are necessary in creating the desirable
paekerowd of remetenese and primitivenesa.

 

Political considerations: The creation of an international park by Great
pritian and the United States would be a further useful example of international
sooperatio.

STATEMENT O8 INDIVIDUAL ISLANDS

a Island aupports the best examples of vegetation adapted to exist under
strong dessicating winds andi supports the most exteneive field seen of barrel.
eactus (Cactus intertus). Many hunmingbiads from nearby Little St. James Island
wisit these cacti to feed om the cactus nectar. During our short stay on this
felend, 11 different kinds of water and shore«birds utilised the brackish pond.
This island supports alse a bat cave and has more ‘character! than any other
island of equivalent size. Most of the island ean be visited on foot.

{ittle 3%. James Ieland has the best stand of the poisonous manchineel tree;
the entdre north beach Le Lined with an uninterrupted stand of these interesting

trees. The geral beseh superimposed on the sandy beach, although recently

distorved by excavation for commercial sand, and the caleareous tufa along the

water level of the beach is unusual. me old Danish site adds interest to thie
island.

Great St. James Island hee three brackish ponds ueed by many kinds of water-
binds and shore-birds, Hecause brackish and fresh-water ponds are important
bird habitat and because there are but few pouds in the National Park area, they

would serve oa important breeding and feeding areas. This island is one of
the most faverable areas for snakes.

fast emi of St. Thomas island ie needed for preserving native species
the individuals of which normally range from tits island to, and east of, St. John.
A freeway for natural animal and plant dispersal is essential for the preservation
of the natural plant and animal communities on 8t. Join Island. In the
forseeable future, visits te the Virgin Islands National Park (St. John) will