NATURAL HI STORY. 329 



to avoid a stone or root. The mounds are enormously large. 

 Mr. Gilbert was told by the residents that they were the 

 tombs of the aborigines, nor was it until after some time that 

 their real nature was made known. The height of one mound 



D 



was fifteen feet, and its circumference at the base sixty feet. 



THE OSTRICH. 



The STRUTHIONID/E include the Ostrich, Emu, Cassowary, 

 and Apteryx. The birds of this family are all remarkable ibr 

 the shortness of their wings, which are weak and unable to raise 

 them from the ground, but appear to assist them in running. 

 On this account Cuvier called the family Brevipennes, i. e. short- 

 winged birds. 



The OSTRICH is the largest bird as yet known to exist, its 

 height being from six to eight feet. It is an inhabitant of Africa, 

 and from thence the elegant plumes are brought. These plumes 

 are mostly obtained from the wings of the bird, and not from 

 the tail, as is generally imagined. 



An immense number of eggs are laid by the Ostriches in one 

 spot, several birds belonging to each nest. The eggs are very 

 large and strong, and are in general use by the Bosjesmans for 

 holding water. By means of these eggs, which they bury at 

 intervals in the sand, after, filling them with water, they are 

 enabled to make inroads across the desert and retreat with 

 security, as none can follow them for want of water. Each 

 egg holds rather more than five pints. An excellent omelet is 

 made by the natives, by burying the fresh egg in hot ashes, and 

 stirring round the contents with a stick through a hole in the 

 upper end, until thoroughly cooked. 



The principal strength of the Ostrich tribe lies in the legs. 

 These limbs are so powerful that a swift horse has great diffi- 

 culty in overtaking the bird. As the Ostrich mostly runs in 

 large curves, 'the hunters cut across and intercept the bird, 

 which w r ould in all probability escape if followed in its exact 

 course. 



The Ostrich is easily tamed, as those who have been 

 pursued by the magnificent birds in the Zoological Gardens 



