纪录片《我们的地球》 第243期 偏远岛屿(14)

Islands in warm tropical waters don't experience seasonal¹ extremes.

地处温暖热带海域的岛屿无法体验极端的季节变化。

The Seychelles, lying off the coast of East Africa,

位于非洲东海岸的塞舌尔群岛，

provide a sanctuary² for sea birds all the year round.

是海鸟们全年的庇护天堂。

Fairy Terns are permanent residents.

塞舌尔白燕鸥是这里的永久居民。

They take a fairly relaxed view about what constitutes a nest.

它们筑巢并不讲究。

A bare branch is quite enough.

一根光秃秃的树枝就足够了。

Climbing onto it to incubate has to be done with care.

不过爬上去孵蛋需要格外小心。

Once a year, the noddies arrive.

每年白燕鸥都会来一次。

They do make nests, and Pisonia trees provide their young with a rather less precarious³ start in life.

它们老实筑窝，腺果藤树能让小鸟的幼年过得安全一些。

Nesting on this island looks idyllic⁴.

在这个岛上筑巢看起来几乎完美。

But behind the beauty, there's a sinister⁵ side.

但美丽的表象后也有危险的一面。

1 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。

2 sanctuary   

n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区

参考例句：

• There was a sanctuary of political refugees behind the hospital.医院后面有一个政治难民的避难所。
• Most countries refuse to give sanctuary to people who hijack aeroplanes.大多数国家拒绝对劫机者提供庇护。

3 precarious   

adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的

参考例句：

• Our financial situation had become precarious.我们的财务状况已变得不稳定了。
• He earned a precarious living as an artist.作为一个艺术家，他过得是朝不保夕的生活。

4 idyllic   

adj.质朴宜人的，田园风光的

参考例句：

• These scenes had an idyllic air.这种情景多少有点田园气氛。
• Many people living in big cities yearn for an idyllic country life.现在的很多都市人向往那种田园化的生活。

5 sinister   

adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的

参考例句：

• There is something sinister at the back of that series of crimes.在这一系列罪行背后有险恶的阴谋。
• Their proposals are all worthless and designed out of sinister motives.他们的建议不仅一钱不值，而且包藏祸心。