i66 HOME LIFE ON AN OSTRICH FARM. 



cause of jealousy which impelled him to do battle. 

 Our notice and our affection were what he wanted all 

 for hiuiself ; and so bitterly did he resent every kind 

 word, every slightest caress bestowed on his companion, 

 that it was the instant signal for war, and, flying at 

 the other, he would attack liim as vengefully as he in 

 his turn was attacked at feeding-time. 



Both brothers were on terms of insolent and con- 

 temptuous familiarity with Toto ; on whom they 

 looked as their slave, whom they made the butt for 

 their jokes, and in the soft warmth of whose coat they 

 slept as on the most luxurious of fur rugs. And when 

 he wanted to sleep and they did not, how they relished 

 the fun of keeping him awake against his will ! What 

 riotous games they would have, chasing each other 

 backwards and forwards across his recumbent form, 

 pulling his poor tired eyes open with their mischievous 

 black claws, scratching and tickling his nose to make 

 him sneeze, and trying their hardest to burrow into his 

 ear or his mouth. One snap of his powerful jaws, and 

 their frivolous career would promptly have been cut 

 short ; but the good old dog — who, in spite of all 

 their teasing, loved the troublesome imps — submitted 

 patiently, though they did make his eyes water. 



One day, alas ! tired out with play, they were com- 

 fortably nestling close up against their big friend's 

 side, and all three were taking their afternoon nap. 

 Perhaps Toto had a disturbing dream, perhaps the flies 

 bothered him and made him restless, — at any rate 

 during his sleep he rolled over on to one of the 



