EDIBLE BIRDS' NESTS. 317 



I had opportunities of observing them, but as I was 

 without my gun, I could not secure one. Skins of 

 the smaller and darker bird, which inhabits the lime- 

 stone mountains of the interior I have sent home. This 

 kind is never found on the sea-coast, nor does the 

 other bird ever frequent inland places. 



The nest produced by the small bird is of a much 

 inferior kind, being, like the bird itself, of a dusky colour, 

 and mixed with feathers : that of the coast is white and 

 transparent, and resembles a net-work of isinglass. 

 Feathers are not mixed with this, and it is free from all 

 other impurities: it is this kind which sells for so high a 

 price in China. The nests are found in deep and dark 

 caves, in situations extremely difficult of access, sticking 

 to the sides of the rock in considerable numbers. Stages 

 and frames of bamboo are erected along the sides of the 

 precipices leading to the caves, and on these fragile 

 pathways the Dyaks advance to their mouths ; in other 

 situations they are let down by rattans from the heights 

 above. Both means are highly dangerous, and accidents 

 are said frequently to occur. The black kind are sold in 

 Sarawak at four rupees per pound, but the price varies 

 according to the demand and supply. 



In their agricultural operations these Dyaks differ in 

 no respect from the tribes already described, excepting 

 when they have land of an easily flooded nature, 

 as is the case with the two tribes of Sow and Singhie, 

 but with none of the others. In these places the 

 Padi Sawah, or wet land Padi, is cultivated : it is quite 

 different from that grown on the hills, its stems being 



