212 Report S.A.A. Advancement of Science. 



on the approach of man, down drops its neck and head flat on the 

 ground, and it is with difiticulty the position of the nest and bird can 

 be detected. Often when searching for their nests the farmer finds it 

 necessary to hide behind a distant kopje or rise, and locate the birds 

 with their heads erect by means of a field-glass. 



In studying the behaviour of animals we have to guard against 

 attributing intelligence or even consciousness to all their actions. We 

 see, as in the present instance, ostrich chicks acting in a manner 

 which is obviously the one best adapted to the special conditions, 

 but, although at first sight tempted to do so, no one would think 

 of associating intelligence with the response, much less could we 

 accuse the creatures of intentional deceit as is implied in the term 

 death-shamming. Death-shamming is a congenital or hereditary act 

 on the part of ostrich chicks ; it is a complex action performed without 

 any previous experience and independent of instruction. One can 

 never be quite certain what are the factors, conscious or otherwise, 

 which determine any action of an ostrich without becoming an ostrich 

 one's self, nor altogether analyze its feelings unless one has the 

 feelings of an ostrich ; but we are probably safe in saying that the 

 reaction is an altogether unconscious one and without any psychical 

 attributes. 



It is the exhibition of the instinct of death-feigning which has 

 probably given rise to the stories of the ostrich hiding its head when 

 in danger, and leaving the rest of its body exposed ; and the tendency 

 to put human constructions upon the actions of the lower animals 

 has engendered the idea of stupidity as associated with the act. In 

 a state of nature the act would be unquestionably useful both to the 

 chick and the adult bird as a protection from its enemies. To the 

 early ostrich hunters it must have seemed the height of stupidity, 

 looked at from a human aspect, for such a large bird when alarmed 

 to suddenly flop down before him limp and motionless, and with time 

 the act has become a byword. But when we realise that this same 

 instinct is undoubtedly useful under natural conditions we see that 

 it has a deep significance, and can understand how in the past it may 

 have been encouraged by natural selection. 



To say that the ostrich hides its head and then believes itself 

 safe is onlv an anthropomorphic way of interpreting ''he 

 behaviour of the bird. It is probably an unconscious and 

 involuntarv act on the part of the creature iust as much as is the 

 collapse of a highly-sensitive person upon sudden fear. The hiding 

 of the head is not an essential part of the act of death-feigning, bat 

 results from the well-known fact that the ostrich habitually crouches 

 with its neck and head resting on the ground, therebv assuming the 

 closest resemblance to its surroundings. The stupiditv lies in our 

 attempt at an explanation of the act. and not in the bird itself. 



