  We use variable-pressure neutron and X-ray diffraction measurements to
determine the uniaxial and bulk compressibilities of nickel(II) cyanide,
Ni(CN)$_2$. Whereas other layered molecular framework materials are known to
exhibit negative area compressibility, we find that Ni(CN)$_2$ does not. We
attribute this difference to the existence of low-energy in-plane tilt modes
that provide a pressure-activated mechanism for layer contraction. The
experimental bulk modulus we measure is about four times lower than that
reported elsewhere on the basis of density functional theory methods [{\it
Phys. Rev. B} {\bf 83}, 024301 (2011)].
