10 OSTRICH-FARMING IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



the so-called thigh, where we brand, with the calf; the 

 proper thigh being the short thick bone above this. 

 Tiiis is the usual formation of all swift-footed animals, 

 the part from what most farmers call the knee down- 

 wards being the foot, the heel being exceedingly long. 

 It is very advisable that farmers should remember this, 

 so that in describing to each other malformation or 

 injuries, there should be no confusion ; so we have—- 



Isf. The first toe-joint ; 



2nc1. The second toe-joint; 



3rcl. The ankle-joint ; 



4th. The knee-joint, above the place we brand ; 



5th. The thigh-joint. 



The leg is easily broken, either with a blow or when 

 they are dancing, when there is nothing for it but to 

 kill them. They are also subject to spraining the ankle- 

 joint and instep, for which the best remedy is cold water 

 bathing and arnica lotion. We have had them put the 

 ankle-joint completely out; if seen to at once this can 

 be easily pulled in, and a few hours^ cold bathing and 

 leaving them in a dark stable, so that they do not use 

 the leg, w^ill put them all right in a couple of days. 

 They will sometimes get tumours on the J eg ; these 

 are easily opened and removed, when the place should 

 be well cauterised. Young birds will sometimes get a 

 staggering gait, knocking the legs together as they 



