158 OSTRICH-FARMING IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



being contaminated ; but on the thirtieth, from some 

 cause or other, its digestive powers were in a fit state 

 for the worms to get a footing, and if some were 

 swallowed by the bird on that day the disease would 

 be contracted. 



Hence, in a state of nature, although the germs of 

 this worm, or for the matter of that scores of others, are 

 in small numbers on the face of the earth, the chances 

 of a bird picking up a worm or its eggs at a time when 

 these would be able to obtain a footing, is not great. 

 But should it do so, the wonderful instincts with which 

 nature has endowed all livinof creatures would teach it 

 to seek the herbs that would assist it to battle with its 

 enemy ; or, should it become seriously affected, and the 

 eggs of the worms begin to pass in considerable 

 numbers on to the veldt in the diseased bird^s dung and 

 urine, the habits of the birds in wandering over large 

 areas, feeding here to-day and miles away to-morrow, 

 greatly reduce the chance of others picking up the 

 eggs whilst there is vitality in them, long as is the time 

 that most of the kind can retain it. But should the 

 bird become so badly affected that its health is impaired, 

 the instinct of self-preservation that seems implanted 

 in every animal, and which causes them to attack 

 and drive away any of the flock that are sick, puts 

 a further great check on its spreading. Further, it 



