THE “ AGAL-AGAL.” 187

have imagined it to consist of sea-worms, of the
mollusca order. J'orester conceives it to be the
sea-qualm, a sort of cuttle-fish found in those seas,
or a glutinous sea-plant called agal-agal. Again,
it has been supposed they rob other birds of their
egos, and apply the whites of them to their build-
ing purposes.

Haensel’s account. is curious and unique. He
says they build in fissures and cavities of rocks,
especially in such as open to the south. In the
latter the finest and whitest nests are found. They
are small, and shaped like swallows’ nests. If
perfect, seventy-two of them go to a catty, or 13
pounds. The best sale for them isin China. As
to the substance of which they are made, Haensel
says—‘“ After the most diligent investigation, I
was never able fully to discover this point; nor do
any of the opinions of naturalists with which I
have become acquainted appear satisfactory to me,
neither have the authors alluded to ever seen the
birds. They have remarkably short legs, and are
unable to rise if they once fall or settle on the
ground. I caught many in this state, and after
examining them threw them up into the air, when
they immediately flew away; they cannot, there-
fore, aS some suppese, obtain their materials on
the coast and from rocks in the sea. My opinion
is, that the nests are made of the gum of a peculiar