(_To the Editor_.)
Allow me to add, as a further illustration of the various and uncommon
substances sometimes found in the stomach of the Ostrich, mentioned at
page 262 of _The Mirror_, a fact which came under my own observation a
few months since, on the occasion of dissecting two full-grown birds
intended for the Surrey Zoological Gardens; but, which died while
performing quarantine in Stangate Creek. On opening the maw, the stomach
appeared distended to its fullest extent, and contained not less than
half a bushel of various substances, besides a large quantity of the
usual food in an undigested state, as, maize, barley, potatoes, onions,
&c. There was nearly a peck of stones, most of which were as smooth
and as highly polished as if they had passed through the hands of the
lapidary; a sample of which I enclose you. Among this mass I found
portions of tobacco-pipe, pieces of china and glass, brass buttons,
copper coins, nails, and what most likely caused the death of the bird,
a large quantity apparently of the head of a woollen mop, with portions
of oakum, which from its size and quantity had proved too much for the
bird to digest. It would appear, however, that many substances remain
for years in the folds of the stomach, without injury; as on opening
an Ostrich that died at Exeter 'Change after being some years in the
possession of Mr. Cross, there were found besides a large quantity of
rubbish, a handful of buttons, nails, marbles, stones, several keys,
the brass handle of a door, a copper extinguisher, a sailor's knife, a
butcher's hook, an iron comb, with penny pieces and coins to the amount
of 3_s._ 4-1/2_d._; and besides these various articles, there
were several cowries, glass beads, such as are used for the purposes
of traffic by the natives of the Barbary Coast, whence the bird was
brought; and it never having had the opportunity of getting at such
articles while in a state of confinement, little doubt remains of their
having been swallowed by the bird while in its native country.
Another instance may be added of a full grown Ostrich, that was for some
time in the possession of the Consul of Tripoli: during the period of
the bird remaining at his house, a silver snuff box, of considerable
size and value, was missing, and many were the persons suspected of
having stolen it. The bird was after the lapse of a few months shipped
as a present on board a frigate, and died during the voyage. The captain
had it opened to ascertain if possible the cause of its death, when, in
the stomach were found nails, keys, pieces of iron and copper, part of
a lantern, and the identical snuffbox, although the chasing and sharp
edges were worn completely smooth by the action of the stomach.