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Show 1888.] EDIBLE BIRDS'-NESTS IN BRITISH NORTH BORNEO. 109 by m e last July from North Borneo. They were taken from the Tatalahan Caves on the west coast. The later geological formation of British North Borneo, superincumbent on the granitic and older rocks is a slate composed of sandy and muddy sediments with occasional intercalated zones of limestone. In the caves found in these limestone deposits the Swifts make their homes, and build the nests so much coveted by the Chinese. The demand for these ingredients of gelatinous soup is constant among the wealthier Chinese, and the supply is extremely limited ; the product is consequently of increasing value as a luxury. There are three qualities of these nests :- 1. The white nests, which are gathered before the bird has commenced to lay any eggs, and which are composed of a clear transparent mucilaginous matter, with very few feathers mixed with them. 2. The red or grey nests1 which are partly mixed with feathers, in which eggs are sometimes found, and which have to be cleared of much extraneous matter. The part of the nest adhering to the limestone is sometimes tinged with pink. 3. The black nests, which are much mixed with feathers. Sometimes fledglings m ay be found therein. These nests have been overlooked at the previous gathering, and have darkened or deteriorated from exposure to water and to the atmosphere of the caves. The partial decomposition of the mucous matter renders them the least valuable. The following market-quotations of the birds'-nests are taken from the ' British North Borneo Herald,' of 1st December, 1887. White birds'-nests, best, per catty $16 to $12 „ „ 2nd quality „ 9 „ 7 „ „ red „ 7 „ 5 „ „ common „ l-80cts. „ 2 Black birds'-nests, best, per picul $80 „ „ 2nd quality „ 50 3rd quality „ 40 The following are the names of the principal mountains containing caves to which the Edible Swift resorts for the purpose of breeding, so far as they are yet known :- No. 1. Gomanton. „ 2. Madai. „ 3. Sigalong. „ 4. Baturong. „ 5. Batu Timbang. ,, 6. Senobang. „ 7. Obang Obang. „ 8. Tatalahan. „ 9. Bod Narkiow. No. 10. Butong. „ 11. Bukit Malingai. „ 12. Pigton. 13. Bahalla. 14. Ulu Sembakong. 15. Waleigh-waleigh, Kin-oram River. 16. Mantanani. 1 W h e n the nests are left untaken for too long a period after they have been built, tbe part or hinge adhering to the limestone first turns red. then black, and finally the nest drops to the ground, oftentimes with young |