334 THE OCEAN. 



small, and their flight so quick, thai they escaped the 

 shots fired at them. The same nests are said also to 

 be found in deep caverns at the foot of the highest 

 mountains in the middle of Java, and at a distance 

 from the sea. * * * The nests are placed in horizon- 

 tal rows at different depths, from fifty to five hundred 

 feet. Tlieir value is chiefly determined by the 

 uniform fineness and delicacy of their texture ; those 

 that are white and transparent being most esteemed, 

 and fetching often in China their weight in silver. 

 These nests are a considerable object of traffic among 

 the Javanese ; and many are employed in it from 

 their infancy. The birds, having spent near two 

 months in preparing their nests, lay each two eggs, 

 which are hatched in about fifteen days. Wlien the 

 young birds become fledged, it is thought time to 

 seize upon their nests, which is done regularly thrice 

 a year, and is effected by means of ladders of bamboo 

 and reeds, by which the people descend into the 

 cavern : but when it is very deep, rope ladders are 

 preferred. This operation is attended with much 

 danger, and several break their necks in the 

 attempt." * 



Some of the caves on the coast of Java are only 

 to be reached by a perpendicular descent of many 

 hundred feet, on these frail ladders of cane, while 

 the sea rages with fury far beneath the feet. When 

 attained, the cavern must be explored by torchlight, 

 the adventurous fowler securing a precarious footing 

 over the damp and slippery surface of the irregular 

 recesses, where a false step would plunge him down 



• Embassy to Cliiiia i. 287. 



