the site of this and the adjoining streets was formerly a
        palace of the archbishops of York, the only vestige of which is
        the water-gate, called York Stairs erected by Inigo Jones. 
        Throughout the narrative it will be seen that the Editor has
        mistaken Norfolk-street for Buckingham-street.—­Ed. M.

    [8] Memoirs of J. Evelyn.

    [9] Evelyn’s Sylva.

* * * * *

THE NATURALIST.

* * * * *

STOMACH OF THE OSTRICH.

(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.