OCR Text |
Show THE EDIBLE BIRD'S NEST Demand Exceeds Supply and Commodity Com-modity Sells as High as $25 a Pound. Edible bird's nests are found In the islands off the coast of Siam and are the products of a species of birds belonging be-longing to the family of swifts. The nests consist almost entirely of the salivary secretion of these birds, whose salivary glands are much more developed than those of the ordinary swift. The season for the gathering of the nests begins In April and ends in September. The female bird, occasionally assisted assist-ed by the male, makes the nest. About three months are spent by the birds in completing their first nest, which Is taken by the nest gatherer before eggs are laid In it; then the birds immediately begin to make another an-other nest, which Is finished in about 30 days, and which Is also taken. Finally a third nest Is made in about three months, in which the bird Is allowed to rear Its offspring, after which this nest Is also gathered. Each family o birds thus furnishes three nests in one season. The nests taken tak-en at the beginning of the season are considered the best in quality. Most of these edible nests are consumed con-sumed by the Chinese, who regard them, not only as a great table delicacy, deli-cacy, but also as a valuable tonic medicine In neurasthenia and pulmonary pulmon-ary disorders. It Is said that the demand de-mand In Hongkong for the nests exceeds ex-ceeds the supply and that prices range from $15 to $25 per pound, according ac-cording to quality. |