The Bird Poo Act

The Guano Islands Act (48 U.S.C. ch. 8 §§ 1411-1419) was passed by the U.S. Congress on August 18, 1856. It enables American citizens to take possession of islands containing guano deposits: in effect, bird poo. The islands can be located anywhere, so long as they are not occupied and not within the jurisdiction of other governments. It also empowers the U.S. President to use the military to protect such interests, and establishes the criminal jurisdiction of the United States.