306 THE TROPICAL OCEAX 



height of twenty-five feet from the sea throws out a project- 

 ing ledge, which is of great use to the nest-gatherers, serving as 

 'a support for a rattan ladder let down from the cliff. The roof 

 of the cavern's mouth lies only ten Feet above the sea, which 

 even at ebb-tide completely covers the floor of the cave, while 

 at flood-tide the opening of the vast grotto is entirely closed 

 by every wave that rolls against it. To penetrate into the 

 interior is thus only possible at low water, and during very 

 tranquil weather, and even then it could not be done if the 

 roof were not perforated and jagged in every direction. 



The boldest and strongest of the nest-gatherers wedges 

 himself firmly in the hollows, or clings to the projecting stones 

 while he fastens rattan ropes to them, which then hang four 

 or five feet from the roof. To the lower end of these ropes 

 long rattan cables are attached, so that the whole forms a kind 

 of suspension bridge, throughout the entire length of the cavern, 

 alternately rising and falling with its inequalities. The cave is 

 100 feet broad and 150 feet long, as far as its deepest recesses. 

 If we justly admire the intrepidity of the St. Kildans, who, let 

 down by a rope from the high level of their rocky birthplace, 

 remain suspended over a boisterous sea, we needs must also 

 pay a tribute of praise to the boldness of the Javanese nest- 

 gatherers, who, before preparing their ladders for the plucking 

 of the birds' nests, first offer solemn prayers to the goddess of 

 the south coast, and deposit gifts on the tomb where the first 

 discoverer of the caves and their treasures is said to repose. 



While traversing the tropical ocean, the mariner often sees 

 whole shoals of flying-fishes {Exocoetus volitans, Pterois 

 volitans) dart out of the waters to escape the jaws of the 

 bonito, and the coryphaena. But while avoiding the perils 

 of the deep, new dangers await them in the air, for before 

 ■ they can drop into the sea, the 



frigate-bird frequently pounces upon 



them, and draws them, head-foremost, 



into his maw. 

 Corypiiaena. The bonito and coryphaena in their 



turn are often transpierced by the 

 lance . of the sword-fish, who, like the saw-snouted pristis, is 

 said to engage even the sperm whale, and to put this huge 

 leviathan to flight. 



