THE SWALLOW’S STONE. 
285 
nests have been so long known, and to whom credit is 
now given for having been acquainted centuries ago with 
inventions which until recently were believed to be 
modern. Not being conversant, however, with Chinese, 
we are unable to say whether there is in that language 
any equivalent for “swallow-stone,” or “swallow’s-herb,” 
or whether ancient Chinese authors in any way throw light 
upon the subject.* 
Pliny’s mention of the stone found in the stomach of 
the swallow brings to mind the stones found in the 
stomach of the ostrich, and so leads to the consideration 
of another bird noticed by Shakespeare. The food of 
the ostrich is said to consist of the tops of shrubby 
plants, seeds, and grain ; strange to say, however, it will 
swallow, with indiscriminating voracity, stones, sticks, 
pieces of metal, cord, leather, and other substances, which 
often occasion its destruction. The extraordinary diges¬ 
tion of the bird is thus alluded to in the threat of the 
rebel Cade, when confronted by Alexander Iden 
“ Ah ! villain, thou wilt betray me, and get a thousand 
crowns of the king by carrying my head to him ! but I'll 
make thee eat iron like an ostrich , and swallow my sword 
like a great pin, ere thou and I part .”—Henry VI. Part II. 
Act iv. Sc. 10. 
This curious habit is not peculiar to the ostriches. The 
same thing has been observed in the bustards. Dr. 
* The substance of the above remarks was contributed by the author in an 
article published in The Zoologist for 1867, p. 744. 
