Part 3, Chapter 17 Summary

Several of the islands of the Galapagos have been inhabited by people. They have cleared pastures for their animals and planted gardens and orchards. It has had an interesting effect on the finches. The finches have quickly adapted to the changes and have learned to live with the people of these islands.

One librarian of the Charles Darwin Research Station admits to feeding the birds rice at work and home. Some have even flown into her home for food and medical attention. Another inhabitant living away from the station may not be abiding by the laws protecting the finches. The finches eat crops and destroy gardens. One person admitted to killing the finches that were in her garden and making finch soup. No one is truly sure what is happening away from the station, but this woman's actions are probably the...