THE ESCULENT SWALLOW. 509 
the Alpine Swift’ (Cypselus nielba; Fig. 223), the Swahow (Hirundo 
rustica), Sand Martin (Cotta reparia), and the House Martin (Chelidon 
urbica, Fig. 220) are best known to residents of Europe. 
Among the foreign species the Esculent Swallow (Codlocalia nidifica, 
Fig. 224) may be mentioned, so famous over the world for its edible 
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Fig. 222.—- The Swift. 
nest. This bird inhabits the rocks. and caverns of the sea-shore 
in Sumatra and Java. The plant called fwcus, which abounds in 
these regions, is metamorphosed in the bird’s stomach, and is after- 
wards disgorged and made use of to fabricate the walls of its nest. 
The fucus thus devoured forms the nutritive substance so eagerly 
sought /after by the Eastern gourmet. The consumption of the nest 
