The edible nests are a luxury in China, where they are used in soups.

The bird makes her nest of saliva, and plasters it on to the rocks inside of caves. The nests are collected by means of boats, ropes, and ladders, and bring in the Chinese market from 2 to 7 per pound. There have been imported to Canton more than eight million nests in a single year.

Such are some views of life inside of the vast possession of the sea which Magellan discovered for Spain, but which has fallen under the folds of the flag of the Republic of the West.

THE END.