THE GAPERS. 



121 



terrible undertaking fortify themselves for their task by a dose of opium, and offer up a prayer to 

 the Goddess Njaikidul before making the descent." In 1847 no fewer than 2,700 people inhabited 

 the summit of the Karang Kallong, and of these 1,500 men were thus employed. Enormous 

 numbers of nests are exported annually from this place to China, and are sold at very high prices ; 

 but those who thus risk their lives to obtain the expensive luxury are but poorly remunerated. We 



THE STEEPLE SWIFT {Cypsdus aplts). 



are but little acquainted with the habits of these birds, except that they fly with great rapidity, 

 and constantly frequent the sea-shore. 



The PRICKLY-TAILED SWIFTS (Acanthylis) are distinguished from other members of 

 their family by the very peculiar construction of their tail-feathers, the shafts of which extend 

 beyond the web ; the plumage is also thicker, and the tarsi longer and more powerful than in 

 most other species. 

 vol. 11.— 55 



