68 OSTRICH-FARMING IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



become " guaranteed breeders/^ and have changed their 

 designation for the last time. 



The distinguishing marks of the different ages are 

 somewhat as follows, though it must be borne in mind 

 that a very forward bird of one age will have many of 

 the marks of the age above him, whilst a backward bird 

 will have many of the marks of the age below. 



Si.v-and-a-half months old. — The quill feathers will 

 be ready to cut ; some of the body feathers will have 

 begun to change ; some of the cocks will show yellow^ in 

 tlie front of the legs. 



Twelve months old. — The second growth of quill 

 feathers should be showing ; some of the cocks should 

 begin to show black feathers ; all cocks should 8ho^y 

 white on legs and bilk 



Tivo years old. — All the chicken feathers should have 

 gone from the back, and the cocks should show quite 

 black, or nearly so. Most of the little white belly 

 feathers should have been replaced by blacks or drabs, 

 aceordincr to sex. 



Three years o/r/.— There should not be a single 

 chicken feather to be found on the body ; the last place 

 from which they disappear is wliere the neck joins the 

 body. Every vestige of the white belly feathers has 

 gone. The bird's plumage has reached perfection ; some 

 of the cocks will be red in front of the leg and on 

 the bill. 



