io8 HOME LIFE ON AN OSTRICH FARM. 



the plncking-kraal, in which they are crowded together 

 80 closely, that the most savage bird has no room to 

 make himself disagreeable. 



Bt'sides the gate through which the ostriches are 

 driven into the kraal, there is an outlet at the opposite 

 end, through the " pluck ing-box." This latter is a 

 most useful invention, saving much time and trouble. 

 It is a very solid wooden box, in which, though there 

 is just room for an ostrich to stand, he cannot possibly 

 turn round ; nor can he kick, the sides of the box 

 being too high. At each end there is a stout door ; 

 one opening inside, the other outside the kraal. Each 

 bird in succession is dragged up to the first door, and, 

 after more or less of a scuffle, is pushed in and the 

 door slammed behind him. Then the two operators, 

 standing one on each side of the box, have him com- 

 pletely in their power ; and with a few rapid snips of 

 their shears his splendid wings are soon denuded of 

 their long white plumes. These, to prevent their tips 

 from being spoilt, are always cut before the quills are 

 ripe. The stumps of the latter are allowed to remain 

 some two or three months longer, until they are so ripe 

 that they can be pulled out — generally by the teeth 

 of the Kaffirs — without hurting the bird. It is neces- 

 sary to pull them ; the feathers, which by their weight 

 would have caused the stumps to fall out naturally at 

 the right time, being gone. Some farmers, anxious to 

 hurry on the next crop of feathers, are cruel enough 

 to draw the stumps before they are ripe ; but nature, 

 as usual, resents the interference with her laws, and 



