364 Notice of the Nicobar Islands. [No. 173. 



they have added some sugarcandy, till the whole forms a jelly: one 

 nest prepared in this manner, is sufficient for one person. 



Birds' nests being very dear, the wealthy Chinamen only can enjoy 

 this delicacy. The rich opium smokers take in the morning a cup of it, 

 for the purpose of refreshing and strengthening their debilitated frames. 

 Persons attacked by consumption, are advised by the Chinese physi- 

 cians to take these nests ; they prescribe the same to those who are 

 reduced by a protracted illness ; and I have seen several persons, who, 

 having made use of this remedy, declared that they found a temporary 

 relief from this refreshing and nourishing food. 



Formerly, both Malays and Burmese, procured at the Andamans a 

 considerable quantity of these nests : collecting them themselves, or 

 receiving them from the Islanders in exchange for their tobacco, &c. I 

 was told by an old Caffrey, who is still living, that when young he had 

 been several times at the Andamans ; that the inhabitants were then a 

 harmless people ; that they brought on board, trepan, birds' nests, &c. ; 

 taking in exchange several articles. The above person attributed the 

 change in their manners to the misconduct of some Malays and Bur- 

 mese, who taking advantage of the time in which the natives were on 

 board their vessels, tied them up and carried them off as slaves. It is a 

 fact, that several persons at different times have been brought to Ran- 

 goon as well as to Penang. How could it be expected that the natives 

 after such treatment, would keep the least intercourse with foreigners. 

 At present their antipathy to strangers has risen to such a degree, that 

 it is most dangerous to approach their shores. It is said, that the Anda- 

 man people are Cannibals ; but the assertion is hitherto destitute of un- 

 questionable proof ; and it would appear rather strange, that a people, 

 who are reported to have been harmless forty or fifty years ago, could 

 have fallen into such a state of barbarism in so short a time : be that as 

 it may, it is certain, that peaceful persons who have called to their 

 island, to procure a supply of water, have been murdered by the natives 

 without provocation. 



Ambergris is found in all the group of the Nicobars ; and some years 

 in such quantities, that this article is scarcely of any value in these islands. 

 In the various islands I visited, the natives brought me ambergris for 

 sale; but its having been mixed with the wax of a small bee, which 

 establishes itself in the trunk of decayed trees, it was of a very inferior 



