Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1885 — The Edible Birds’ Nest of China. [ARTICLE]

The Edible Birds’ Nest of China.

The famous edible birds’ nests are used for the making of soups exclusively. The nest in question is that of a species of swallow, whicli builds in caves and on damp rocks on the islands of the Indian Archipelago. This bird macerates a kind of seaweed in its crop, and constructs the nest by drawing this food forth again through its mouth in gelatinous fibers, which it attaches to the damp stone with its bill. These nests are of the same shape as those which the chimney swallows build, and hold the eggs and young of the bird against the cliff in the same manner. They are usually about three or four inches long. The operation of preparing these nests for food involves considerable labor, for every particle of dirt or feathers must be carefully picked away, and the whole washed several times in water. When the nests are perfectly, free from impurities they are stewed with eggs, spices, etc., into a soup. The nest itself is almost tasteless, and greatly resembles isinglass in its appearance and gelatinous properties when cooked. This dish depends upon the flavors and seasoning used with it for its palatable quality, but the substance of the nest is believed to render the soup very nourishing. Procuring these nests is difficult and dangerous work, and the total import into China scaroely exceeds 500 pounds yearly. They are rated as a great delicacy, sometimes selling as high as S3O a pound, and are only seen on the tables of the wealthiest classes. — lnter- Ocean.