The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-12-18
Birds Nest soap.

OF the delicious birds nest soup eaten
in China, everybody has heard, but every
body has not been privileged TO partake
of that most deIectable Of ali Oriental
dainties. The nests are formed Of the
seeretions Of a species Of swallow, called
by naturalists HTmdo escuicufc, because
their dwellings are eaten. These birds
are common on most Of the islands Of the
Indian Archipelagoes, but their head
quarters are Sumatra, Java, aud Borneo.
They build their nests over shelving rocks,
in places that would seem to be inaccessi-
bic to man.
But such is the demand for this dainty,
and 50 high its market value, that hun
dreds of men spend their whole lives 10
the perilous work Of collecting the nests
from deep caverns, by torchlight, and over
hanging rocks, frightful cliffs, and preci-
pices, such as make the head grow dizzy
even to think Of, and whence the slightest
loss Of footing must prove fatal 10 the ad-
veDturer. Multitudes Of others are con
stantly employed in separating with deli
cate tweezers the feathers and other i'm
purities from the Gelatinoos portion of the
nests, and in washing and drying them in
preparation for the market.
The bird makes its first nest Of gcla-
tine produced from its own body, without
any foreign admixture; but when deprived
Of this, being unable to seerete sufficient
quantity Of the gluten Cor another, he mixes
in the second considerable portion Of
sticks, feathers, and dried grass, thus rem
dering the nest far less desirable for edible
purposes.
Again, however, the rapacious hunter,
lying in wait for his prey, turns out the
homeless bird, and bears of the prize and
when, for the third time, the little architect
rears his home, it is composed almost en
tirely of stubbIe, with the slightest posi-
BILE admixture Of gelatine "
This last nest being comparatively worth
less for food; the poor little builder is
ordinarily allowed to retain possession, and
rears its family without farther molestation.
The nests are about the size Of small
tea-cup, and an eighth Of an inch in thick
ness, weighing scarcely half an ounce each
The first nests collected are of pure
creamy whiteness, and brings readily twice
their own weight in silver dollars These
require little cleansing, only to be dried
and packed; but the second gathering
must be carefully picked over, and thor
oughly washed. The nests thus losing
their original lusciousncss, their market
value is proportionately diminished, and
theysell for about eighteen or twenty
dollars per pound,--the poorest as low as
six or eight. Even the third nests are
occasionally taken, but they bring mere
triae, and are only used by those whose
epicurean tastes exceed the length of their
purses.
Whole streets in Canton arc occupied
by the preparers and vendors Of birds nests;
and about million and half Of dollars
arc annually expended by the Chinese in
the purchase Of this dainty, which, when
rendered into soup or jelly, the Celestial
regards as the most delectable of food,
! The nests are first soaked in water,
! then boiled to jelly, and finally, swim
ming in rich gravy composed Of the ex-
pressed juice Of the cocoanut, with various
spices and condiments, they are placed on
the table,-a rich, pulpy mass, and truly
delicious. Nicholas.