296 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
EDIBLE BIRDS’ NESTS. 
By W. B. Pryer. 
In your number for August last year there are some remarks 
on the genus Collocalia (Three unpublished Papers by Blyth). 
I have lately noticed also several communications in ‘ Nature’ 
and other publications on edible birds’ nests and their makers ; 
and as from these remarks it is apparent that there is still a 
good deal of uncertainty about the whole matter, the following 
observations may serve to clear up one or two doubtful points. 
Is it true that the caves frequented by these Swiftlets are 
always near the sea? No; wherever these birds find caves 
adapted for their purpose, whether near the sea or far inland, 
they use them. 
Are the nests ever spotted with blood ? (Rev. J. Barbe). No; 
the cause of this theory is, no doubt, that some white nests, not 
of best quality, have a tendeney to turn an unpleasant raw-flesh 
colour in their thick part—the stalk or part next the rock to 
which the nests are attached. 
Are the birds particularly exhausted by the process of making 
the second nest, if their first is taken? (Rev. J. Barbe). I know 
nothing to favour such a supposition. I do not suppose they 
like having their nests taken, any more than a Thrush or a 
Sparrow does, but when their nests are taken before the young 
are hatched they simply gv to work again and make another, 
even though it be for the third or fourth time, and the last made 
nest is just as good as the first, and is not spotted with blood. 
Is it true that nests, clean at first, become when old deeply 
soiled and mixed with feathers (Blyth), and that “hence they are 
distinguished into white and black?” (Marsden). No; white 
nest is always white nest, and is distinguishable as such until it 
quite crumbles away; and black nest is always black nest, from 
the first commencement of its being made. Black nest always 
has a considerable number of feathers woven up in its composi- 
tion; white nest none at all, or but one or two that are there by 
accident. I can show white nests that have been uncollected for 
four seasons, where the bird has made four successive nests, each 
on top of the remains of the last one ; the oldest remnants, though 
crumbled away till there is but little left, are still almost as white 
