188 A FULL DISCOVERY. 



tree, called by some the Nicobar cedar, and grow- 

 ing in great abundance in all the southern islands. 

 Its wood is hard, black, and very heavy. From 

 December to May it is covered with blossom, and 

 bears a fruit somewhat resembling a cedar or pine- 

 apple, but more like a berry, full of eyes or pus- 

 tules, discharging a gum or resinous fluid. About 

 these trees, when in bloom or bearing fruit, I have 

 seen innumerable flocks of these little birds, flying 

 and fluttering like bees round a tree or shrub in 

 full flower, and am of opinion that they there 

 gather the materials for their nests. I relate the 

 fact, having often watched them with great atten- 

 tion, but will not venture to affirm that I have 

 made a full discovery. I observed before, that 

 these birds dwell in cavities of rocks, like bees in 

 a hive, flying in and out, and building their nests 

 together, like martins or swallows. The hen con- 

 structs a neat, large, well-shaped nest, calculated 

 for laying and hatching her eggs, and the cock 

 contrives to fix another, smaller and rather more 

 clumsy, close to his mate ; for they are not built 

 for the purpose of laying eggs, but for resting- 

 places, whence they may take wing. If they are 

 robbed of them, they immediately begin to build 

 others, and being remarkably active, are able to 

 finish enough in a day to support the weight of 

 their bodies, though they require about three weeks 



