350 THE OCEAN. 
the Chinese, in their annual visits to the Oriental 
Isles, and, by consequence, that which forms the 
chief lading of the returning junks, is the edible 
birds’-nest; the production of a species of Swallow 
(Hirundo esculenta); of which, as it seems to be 
an oceanic production, I shall give a short account. 
For many.ages the nests have been in use in China, 
and it is a remarkable instance of the fictitious value 
often attached by fashion to things of little moment 
in themselves, but procured from a distance with 
much expense, difficulty, and danger. From the 
accounts of travellers, which differ much in detail, 
we gather, that certain large caverns in the interior 
of the island, as well as on the coast, are frequented 
by immense numbers of these birds, of which there 
seem to be at least two species, one being, accord- 
ing to many observers, smaller than a wren; the 
other, according to Sir. HE. Home, who dissected 
some brought home by Sir Stamford Rafiles, “dou- 
ble the size of our common swallow.” M. Poivre, 
who, in 1741, visited the Straits of Sunda, observed 
these birds in a little island called the Little Tocque. 
A party having landed to shoot green pigeons, this 
gentleman, accompanied by a sailor, walked along 
the beach in search of shells and jointed corals, 
which were very abundant. After having walked 
some distance, he was called by his companion, who 
had discovered a deep cavern. M. Poivre, hastening 
to the spot, found the entrance darkened by an im- 
mense cloud of small birds, pouring out in swarms. 
He entered, and with ease knocked down many of 
the little birds, with which he was at that time un- 
