left with large projections for that purpose.  So dangerous evolutions cost even broken arms and legs, and sometimes even cause death.  The taking of the nests is repeated three times during the calm months of the year.  The latter part of December, those to whom are assigned crags—­in which it is not right for one to meddle with those of another, a rule that is observed with much fidelity—­go out.  They gather the old nests, which are sufficiently blackened by the preceding rains; however, they do not lose much of their nourishment.  Thus do they force the little bird to make a new nest, as it cannot make use of the old one for breeding.  As the desire to breed is excited by its nature, the industrious little bird strives to build its nest before breeding.  All the month of January is spent in its costly labors.  The destroyers come and tear them down.  Sometimes they are found with eggs, and sometimes even imperfect; but nothing restrains their greed, and they tear down all indifferently.  The disconsolate birds again begin to build their nest, and at the end of February or the beginning of March the Indians repeat their robbery.  The saddened bird, forced to build its shelter at the behest of nature in the multiplication of the species repeats its anxious labors.  Either because there is not enough material for so many labors, or because the season has passed in their periods, the bird does not possess the same inclination in its formation; the nest is finished later, and is less juicy, as experience has shown, for at that time the rainy season generally sets in.  That, and the Moros who infest these seas cause the harvest of nests involuntarily to be abandoned.  However, if the above circumstances do not prevent, the third excursion is not lacking.  All the crags are not accessible, and where those furtive assaults cannot be made, the number of those industrious little birds is prodigious.” [73]

4.  The beaches are protracted into very extensive shoals and reefs.  There the excellent balate is very abundant.  This is a shellfish, [74] which when cooked and dried in the smoke is preserved dry.  This product is highly relished by the Chinese or Sangleys.  They lade as much as possible into their boats, paying thirty and even thirty-eight pesos per pico (which is equivalent to five arrobas twelve and one-half libras), according to the season.  The flesh is very wholesome, and tastes like shrimp.  The fisheries of fine-shelled turtles are also abundant, and they also form a conspicuous product.  Some of the shells have markings as deep red as a fine garnet; and the four principal shells are of an extraordinary size.  From the shells are made very neat boxes, trays, and other pretty things.  They are given a jasper finish, which makes their colors shine out strongly.  The island has abundance of deer, wild boars, and wild hogs, and monkeys and birds of singular rarity.  There are many pagans of good appearance and better disposition.  The frequent raids of