THE ESCULENT SWALLOW. 



5C 9 



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

 rustica), Sand Martin (Cotila reparia), and the House Martin (Chelido?i 

 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 



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 



