PREFACE. 



In undertaking to write on " Ostrich Farming in South 

 Africa," I have done so at the urgent soHcitations of 

 friends, and in response to the numerous letters addressed 

 to me from all parts of the world asking if any such 

 work were to be had. In presenting it to the public, I 

 do so knowing that many imperfections wiU be found. 

 As a literary production, written at broken intervals in 

 the midst of a busy life, it is necessarily far from perfect. 

 As the first work of its kind ever published, it is no 

 doubt far from exhaustive ; but, such as it is, we present 

 it to our fellow-colonists, intending emigrants, and others, 

 as an honest attempt to help others on the road we have 

 travelled ourselves, and to forward the best interests of 

 the Colony of our adoption and affection. 



Royal Colonial Institute, 



15, Strand, London. 



June 22, 1881. 



