INSESSORES. 307 



migrate farther east than Nova Scotia. In the State of New 

 York it appears about the last of April. 



The ESCULENT SWALLOW, H. esculenta, is the maker of ihe 

 edible bird-nests, (see Chart.) esteemed such a delicacy among 

 the Chinese, and a considerable article of their commerce. 

 These nests are made of a species of sea- weed, (fucus.) The 

 bird macerates and bruises it before forming the material in lay- 

 ers so as to construct the whitish gelatinous cup-shaped nests. 

 The finest are those obtained before the nest has been contami- 

 nated by the young. These are pure white, scarce and valuable. 

 The inferior ones are dark, discolored, or mixed with feathers. 

 These are generally converted into glue. The only preparation 

 for sale which these bird-nests undergo, is that of simple drying, 

 without exposure to the sun, after which they are packed in 

 small boxes. They are assorted into three kinds for the Chinese 

 market, according to their relative values, and distinguished into 

 first or best, second and third qualities. 



These nests are found in Java, and they are particularly 

 abundant in Sumatra. They are regarded as an article of ex- 

 pensive luxury, and sold at most extraordinary prices ; they are 

 consequently consumed by persons of rank alone. The sensual 

 Chinese use them under an impression that they are powerfully 

 stimulating and tonic ; but probably their most valuable quality 

 is their perfect harmlessness. 



The BARN SWALLOW, H. rustica, (Lat. of the country,) 

 ranges in the spring from New Orleans to Newfoundland. The 

 same name is given to the Chimney Swallow of England, which 

 in its song this bird entirely resembles. The nest of this bird is 

 something like a section of an inverted cone, and is attached to 

 the side of a beam or rafter in a barn or shed. The Barn Swal- 

 low surpasses in speed every other species, except the Humming 

 Bird. The tail is deeply forked, the side feathers of which much 

 exceed the wings in length. 



The PURPLE MARTIN, H. purpurea, (Lat. of a purple color,) 

 is seen early in April, and for its reception in our cities habita- 

 tions are sometimes furnished ; occasionally its nests are seen in 

 the corners of houses. Its flight is easy and graceful, but not 

 so swift as that of the Barn Swallow. Audubon was of the opin- 

 ion that this Swallow goes farther south than any other of our 

 migratory birds. 



Other interesting species are H. riparia, (Lat. ripa, a bank,) 

 the BANK SWALLOW, or Sand Martin, which perforates sand banks 

 and makes its nest in the holes ; (Plate XI. fig. 10;) H. thalas- 

 sina, (Gr. thalassa, the sea,) the VIOLET GREEN SWALLOW ; H. 



