156 Rkport 8.A.A. Advancement of Science. 



nient of the bird can be said to liave reached its highest success. For 

 ostrich farming to be worthy of the name the birds must be kept under 

 efficient control, not left to wander unnoticed for months on the open 

 veld. The farms will have to be divided more and more by fencing, 

 so that the flocks can be kept under closer observation, and better 

 account taken of their condition. The industry is becoming more 

 intensive year by year, and it is encouraging to note that the majority 

 of the farmers are endeavouring to keep pace with it. Whatever other 

 advantage ma}' have come from the high price of feathers, one of the 

 chief benefits to the colony is the stimulation and opportunity it has 

 given towards developing the best there is in both the farmer and his 

 land. 



The CoMMEKciAL Value of J^'eatheks. 



The ostrich is farmed solely for the feathers which it produces, there 

 being ncj other use to which any part of the bird is applied. From their 

 gracefulness and delicacy when curled, ostrich plumes are peculiarly suit- 

 able objects for personal decoration, and in one form or another seem 

 to be always in fashion's demand, l^ast year (1907) their export value 

 from Cape Colony reached nearly £2,000,000 (£1,S19,606). This, 

 combined with the smaller quantity of feathers produced in other coun- 

 tries, pi'obably I'epresents at least £5,000,000 per annum paid t<;) the 

 retailer of ostrich feathers when the latter have been finished and manu- 

 factured ready for wear. .\t present very high prices are given to the 

 farmer for superioi- feathers, and even the poorer classes are remunera- 

 tive, though much less so than formerly. The differences in the returns 

 from the two classes of feathers are now so great that all progressive 

 farmers are rapidly weeding out their inferior birds. 



The value of a feather is technically determined by a number of 

 " points," which have reference to length, brea<]th, density or compact- 

 ness of flue : shape, especially as regards the tip, butts and sides of the 

 feather ; strength, (juality and lustre of flue : narrowness and strength 

 of shaft ; and freedom from barring defects. 



The PLUMAiiE OF Tin: Ostkich. 



By the plumage of the ostrich is understood the entire covering of 

 feathers at any one time. This is not the same at all ages, for the bird 

 varies greatly in appearance between its chick and adult condition, 

 Four welbmarked plumages can be distinguished, namely, natal, chick, 

 Juvenal, and adult, but the passage from one to another is only gradual, 

 there being no well-defined moulti)ig period in the ostrich. Until the 

 adult plumage is reached there is an intermingling of the feathers 

 belonging to different plumages. The slight seasonal changes in South 

 Africa have but little influence on the plumage, and when the adult is 

 reached there is no difference in the appearance between suiiuiier and 

 winter. 



A detailed description was given of the different plumages of the 



I 



