THE ESCULENT SWALLOW. 



509 



the Alpine Swift (Cypselus melba, Fig. 223), the Swallow (Hirundo 

 rustica), Sand Martin (Cotila riparid)^ and the House Martin (Chdidon 

 urbica, Fig. 220) are best known to residents of Europe. 



Among the foreign species the Esculent Swallow (Collocalia nidifica, 

 Fig. 224) may be mentioned, so famous over the world for its edible 



V 



Fig. 222.- The Swift.' 



nest. This bird inhabits the rocks and caverns of the sea-shore 

 in Sumatra and Java. The plant called fucus, 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 



