Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-05-01

food. On the south side of tho Is
land of Java are immense caves
washed in the chalk rocks by the
surf. In the distance the ocean is
calm, but the waves INCREASINGLY roll
against the rocks, often hiding the
mouth Of these caves. When the
sea is toughest, multitudes of these
little birds rush out, seeking for
their food" n .rtt .t tH .
"What do you think they find to
cat, Charlie % ". '''5 So o..
81 don't know, unless it be fish,"
"NO," said Alice, ''they don't care
for fish, but they like seaweed,
which they swallow as fast as they
can, and it rnixes.with the juices OF
their stomaclIs.- Afterwartls,e When
it is dissolved, they throw it UP to
make their nests"
"rhat isn't sO-is it, mother %
said Charlie, quite disgustcd with
the idea, which was certainly not
very appetizinG.
"As remarkable as it seems,
Charlie, it is true that these birds
pour from their mouths q secretion
which hardens when exposed to the
air and really resembles gelatine or
isinglass. Upon examination, the
nests are found to be made in
thread-like layers. AS two months
are required to build one, this can be
easily understood. The material Of
which they are constructed has been
a subject of dispute for years ;-nOw
it is believed they are made of the
tucus, or seaweed, to which Alice
referred" "'. '.' z
"What shape is the nest ~ inquir-
ed Charlie. .....
"You would scarcely think they
were meant for nests; they appear
more like a group of sponges or cor
al, and the cavity for eggs is not
larger than the bowl of "A spoon. If
a brood of young has been raised in
a nest it is of no value. The nests
being gathered three times a year,
you can understand that these little
birds are kept busy, especially as all
the old nests are torn away to force
them to build fresh ones, as these
are very inferior in quality and bring
a much less price," ....
"Do you not think it is cruel,
mother ~
eyes, my dear. 1t certainly is;
but people do not care to stop for
that when they wish something
nice to eat, particularly when they
can earn a great deal of money by
collecting them. The best and pu-
rest of these nests are sold in China
for thirty or forty dollars a pound,
and sometimes they bring higher
price. DO not think that this valu-
able article of merchandise is free
to any one that fancies it. The
caves where the nests are found be-
long to their different governments
aud are rented by them. The
weight of nests gathered yearly is
fifty thousand pounds and are
worth Il million of dollars. Yet
they are only used by the Chinese,
who consider them the greatest del
cacy. You both remember [ was
invited to dine with a Chinese lady
| few months ago. When inquir-
ID about these birds nests, she
,aid, if | would visit her at her
lOme in this country, she could
tow me a nest she brought from
yhina herself. She told me that
his expensive luxury is considered
necessary TO every grand entertain
nent. The nests are generally u.s.
d for soup sometimes morsels OF
hem are left floating on the sur
ace, as we use tapioca and rice
often soft, delicate jelly is made
rom them. In any form, they are
onsi,lered especially nOur ishing
nd strengthening to invalids."
ooh, mother" said Alice, edo
ell Charlie how the nests are
Dund." 4e. .'.. ....
"Yes. am sure he will be inter-
sted in knowing about that, al 5
hough he might not care to under
Ike it himself. So dangerous and
ifficult is this work that persons
re trained to it from youth. Be-
IRE starting OH these expeditions, {
lcrifices are offered and prayers
lade to their gods. Many Of the l
,sorts of these swallows can only
e approached by throwing rattan =
nd bamboo ladders over fearful -,
recipices; these are descended {