Christopher J. Duffin (2012): A Survey of Birds and Fabulous Stones, Folklore, 123:2, 179-197 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0015587X.2012.682477

Summary: The records of fabulous stones associated with birds are here examined systematically for the first time. Some were purported to be obtained from within the bird and others obtained from the nest. Zahir mora, the Adjutant Bird Stone, was used against snake bite, whilst Alectorius (the Cock Stone), Aetites (the Eagle Stone) and Vulturis (the Vulture Stone) shared a multiplicity of medicinal applications. Quirin (the Hoopoe Stone), Chloritis (the Wagtail Stone) and Corvina (the Crow Stone) supposedly possessed occult powers. The Penguin Stone, Ostrich Stone and Pigeon Stone were probably gastroliths.

A few quotes:

• Amongst thestones are a number that are identified as having been generated within the bodiesof living organisms, such as Hyaenia (produced in the eye of the Hyaena),Dracontites from the brain of the dragon, Bufonites from the head of the toad,Kenne from the tears of the stag, Cinaedia in the skull of various fishes, and manyothers (Duffin 2007a, 2008, 2010b).
• Another class of stones comprises those that were collected and used by animalsfor their own benefit. Plundering of these specimens yielded a readily available source of further geological materials, many of which were accorded the status ofgems, with supposed curative, prophylactic and amuletic properties
• The folklore of birds has been the subject of considerable interest and the focus of a number of summaries, some of which mention associated fabulous gems (for example, Ingersoll 1923; Armstrong 1959; Rowland 1978; Greenoak1997; Tate 2007). There has been no previous systematic treatment of this topic, however, which will form the subject of the present paper. Most of the stones discussed here have their folklore roots in the writings of classical authors, with an occasionally quite extensive and largely derivative literature extending through mediaeval times to the renaissance, and even in some cases into early modern times.

and, often my favorite part, notes and references: although these need a thorough cleaning up and comparison with the original paper which I’ve already closed. it’s a good start.

Notes

[1] Zingerle (1874)—the lines (7841 –43) read “etleich die legent des withopfen herzen des nachtes auf dieslafenden leut.”

[2] Isidore (Lindsay 1911): “Vpupam Graeci appellant eo quod stercora humana consideret, et foetentipascatur fimo; avis spurcissima, cristis extantibus galeata, semper in sepulcris et humano stercorecommorans. Cuius sanguine quisquis se inunxerit, dormitum pergens daemones suffocantes se videbit.Tucos, quos Hispani ciculos vocant, a voce propria nominates.”

[3] Philip de Thaon (c. 1211), lines 2598– 2604: “Que huppe at tel nature: Ki del sanc urne uindreit Quantil se dormireit, Diable i vendreient, Estrangler le voldreient, C¸ o li sereit avis, Dune fereit mult halz criz.”Christopher J. Duffin192Downloaded by [Christopher John Duffin] at 15:07 02 July 2012

[4] One commentator identifies “Phene” as a type of vulture (Beck 2005, 106). No stone ismentioned in Dioscorides’s text, although he does indicate that a draught obtained from thestomach of this bird is used to treat kidney stones. Other commentators identify this bird eitheras Falco ossifragus (Linnaeus 1758), a Sea Eagle, or Pandion haliaetus (Linnaeus 1758), the Ospreyor Fish Eagle (Gunther 1968, 105; Osbaldeston and Wood 2000, 204).[5] Philes Cap. 5: 150 – 1: “Hoc dissecto aliquis inveniet calculos, qui tormenta levant infirmitatisoculorum.” See Du¨bner 1857, 6.

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Biographical Note A geologist by training, Chris Duffin gained a Ph.D. in Vertebrate Palaeontology andComparative Anatomy at University College London in 1980. His mainstream research ison fossil fishes, particularly sharks; he is co-author of the Palaeozoic sharks volume of theHandbook of Paleoichthyology (Verlag Dr Friedrich Pfeil, 2010). A passionate interestin the folklore of geological materials, particularly their use in folk medicine from classicalto early modern times, is currently threatening to take over his life. Working as a schoolteacher, he is Head of Biology, Head of Critical Thinking and Director of Sixth FormStudies at Streatham and Clapham High School. He has recently been made an honoraryScientific Associate in the Department of Palaeontology, Natural History Museum,London.