U.N.: Our Feathered Friends

Pantelleria, a volcanic speck in the Mediterranean narrows, and Helgoland, a chunk of red sandstone in the North Sea off Germany, have long and bloody histories. Carthage took Pantelleria from the Stone Age aborigines before Rome took it from Carthage; in World War II it became the first island stronghold to surrender to air bombardment alone (see cut). Helgoland, fought over incessantly by Norse sea-rovers, was Danish and British before it became German; in World War I the British won a smashing naval victory in Helgoland Bight.

Last week the Preparatory Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization thoughtfully considered a proposal to turn Pantelleria and Helgoland into bird sanctuaries. Among birds which the U.N. hopes will finally roost there is that homeless dove with the branch in its mouth.