ORDER PASSERES. * 97 



represent it like the valve of a shell, with similar stria or 

 rugosities. 



With regard to the places where these birds construct their 

 nests, some assert, that they attach tliem to rocks, very near 

 the level of the sea. Others that they are in the hollows of 

 these same rocks; and others, that they conceal them in 

 holes in the earth. 



According to Koempfer, these nests, as we are acquainted 

 with them, are nothing more than a preparation made from 

 the flesh of the polype. From such contrarieties many were 

 inclined to believe that either these nests did not exist at all, 

 or that nothing to be depended on was known concerning 

 them. 



Montbeillard, for the purpose of settling these doubts, 

 addressed himself to M. Poivre, a very enlightened and accu- 

 rate observer. This traveller, while he was employed in 

 collecting shells and corals, in a little islet called Petit Toque^ 

 situated near Java, entered into a tolerably deep cavern, hol- 

 lowed in the rocks which border on the sea, and he found its 

 sides, &c. hung with small nests, closely adhering to the 

 rock. When these nests were removed, they were recog- 

 nized by persons who had made several voyages to China, to 

 be the nests held in such high esteem among the Chinese. 

 The birds which had constructed them, were distinguished 

 by M. Poivre to be true swallows, but whose size was nearly 

 that of the colibris. He adds, that in the months of March 

 and April, the seas which extend from Java to Cochin China 

 to the north, and from the western point of Sumatra to New 

 Guinea on the east, are covered with the spawn of fish, whicli 

 forms on the water like a strong demi-dilutetl glue, and that 

 he learned from the Malays, the Cochin Cliinese, the Indians of 

 the Philippine Islands, and the Moluccas, that the Salangana 

 makes its nest with this fish-spawn. They were all agreed on 

 this point. The bird collects it either as it shaves the level 

 surface of the sea, or when it places itself on the rocks where 



VOL. VII. H 



