I 



Emit and Ostrich FARMiwi. 57 



arrauffed the following- plan of campaig-n. As the bird knew me 

 well, I was to feed it. WHien busy with the bread I was to rush 

 treacherously in, and, seizing her suddenly, throw her down, 

 when, if the feat was successfully accomplished, John was, in his 

 turn, to make a dive and get hold of her leg, I at the same time 

 warning him to " look out for squalls " and hold firm. He gave 

 me a look of scorn, mixed with pity, remarking that there was 

 "ganging to be an unco fash to catch sic a wee beast as that." 

 The operation was successful, and having caught her round the 

 body before she had time to kick. I threw her over and lay on the 

 top of her. John seized her legs, and a fierce struggle ensued on 

 the part of all three. In a few minutes, John, with the perspura- 

 tion streaming from his face, gasped out that " the sma' cratur 

 had the strength and spite o' the Deevil." He was quite ignorant 

 of the mass of muscle in the thigh of one of the " Cursores." I 

 sent him to the farm for a wool bag, consenting to remain Ij'ing 

 on the bird till his return. This consent I would not have given 

 had I not been aware that she was pumped out with the struggle 

 to a perfectly safe degree, still I hoped John would not be long. 

 When he returned with the bag we shoved the " beast" in, and, 

 rolling it up into a very decent parcel, sat down to take a rest 

 after our exertions. In the meanwhile the "parcel " had rested also, 

 and presently we heard a series of rents taking place in the cover, 

 and saw " legs and airms a' walloping " through many holes in 

 the bag, which was thin and worn from much use. John was 

 now despatched for another bag, and again I " reclined upon my 

 feather bed." The bundle was repacked in a double envelope, and 

 the question arose, how was it to be conveyed home ? — the farm 

 hands and carts being all out at work. John consented to carry 

 it on his back if I would help to " heez't " up. This was done, 

 and we proceeded on our way. AYe had not gone half-a-mile till 

 another " screed " was heard, and a leg, but fortunately one only 

 this time, was seen waving in the air in a most menacing manner, 

 and ominously near John's head. Having seen and felt a fair 

 sample of the beast's powers, he cried out " For gude sake, sir, tak' 

 hand o' that leg or it'll hae aff my lug." This I did, and we 

 reached home without further mishap, though my arm was much 

 cramped " wi' haudin' " that struggling leg for a mile and a half. 



These birds are deprived by nature of the power of flight, 

 but the enormous amount of thigh muscle provides them with a 



