THE JOURNAL 



OF THE 



SODTH AFRICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION. 



Vol. III. DECEMBER 1907. No. 2. 



XII. — The Waltzing Instinct in Ostriches. By J. E. 

 DuEEDEN, M.Sc, Ph.D., A.R.C.S., President S.A.O.U. 



The so-called waltzing performances o£ the Ostrich are 

 familiar to all in South Africa with any experience of the 

 bird's habits and instincts under domestication. They con- 

 sist of a rapid whirling movement, sometimes one way some- 

 times another, the wings at the same time spread out and, 

 along with the sides of the body, alternately elevated and 

 depressed. It is a most fascinating sight when indulged in 

 by a large troop of such gigantic birds. The whole action 

 seems indicative of an excessive exuberance of spirits on the 

 part of the creature, and suggests playfulness of a highly 

 strenuous character. 



The dance is displayed more frequently by chicks than by 

 adult birds, and is most usually seen when chicks are first let 

 out in the freshness of the morning from their night enclo- 

 sure. At such times the escaping cliicks will make a short 

 dash forward at full speed, with head either erect or lowered 

 and wings expanded ; then, suddenly stopping, will commence 

 to whirl round and round in a most vigorous manner, re- 

 versing with great rapidity. At times the birds will run 

 forward with the body nearly erect ; again they will lower it 



VOL. III. 12 



