I detached a number, and found that they had a curious
appearance, seemingly made of something fibrous and gelatinous, and
more like a set of sponges, corals, or fungi, than nests of birds. I
have brought them home in my fishing net.'
`If we had commercial dealings with the Chinese,' said I, `your
discovery would be of value; these are doubtless edible birds' nests.
The bird is called the esculent swallow, and the trade in this strange
article of diet is a very large one. The nests are of different value,
but those which are quite new, and nearly white, are held in such
esteem that they are worth their weight in silver.
`There are tremendous caverns in Java and other places where, at great
risk, these nests are procured; the annual weight obtained being
upwards of fifty thousand pounds, and the value more than ?200,000.
`When placed in water and well soaked, they soften and swell, and are
made into soup of very strengthening and restorative quality.
`I think you might try your hand on these, mother, just for
curiosity's sake.'
`I can't say I fancy the look of the queer things,' said she, `but I
don't mind trying if they will turn to jelly; though boiling birds'
nests is cookery quite out of my line.'
`Oh do, mother, let us taste birds' nests as soon as you can, though
the idea makes me fancy my mouth full of feathers!' laughed Jack.
Pages:
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465