Hi all
It has been suggested that the collection of odd substances by HBs, may be an example of seeking out healthful or remedial substances. Animal self medication is pretty common:

It has been found that cattle, chimpanzees, giraffes, elephants, gorillas, rhinoceros, and in rain forests of New Guinea parrots, pigeons and crows eat regularly mouthfuls of clay-rich termite mound soil. More than 200 species of song birds wipe ants through their plumage whereby spraying formic acid. In laboratory tests formic acid is found damaging to feather lice and its vapour alone is enough to kill the lice. 

Squirrels, cats and monkeys for similar relief also seek ant nests. The insect secretions contain benzoquinones, which are powerful insect repellents. Self-medicating behaviour among white-faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus) was witnessed when they were breaking open the fruits of certain species of Citrus plants and rubbing the pulp and juice into their fur. 

Many birds bring fresh green plant material to their nests, during nesting, and continue to replace and replenish it … The preferred plants contain monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes that are harmful to bacteria, mites and lice in the laboratory. In particular, they are effective against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and Psuedomonas aeruginosa. 

Although the potential plant pharmacy is vast, insects too are a source of potential medicines for other animals. Soil often contains microbial organisms which secrete bioactive compounds. The study of animal self-medication and ethno-medicinal practices may provide important leads to future sources of medicine. 

Jain, et al. General Article Animal self-medication through natural sources. Natural Product Radiance, Vol. 7(1), 2008, pp.49-53 

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