248 OSTRICHES ^aiANCEUVRES OF THE OLD BIRD. 



departure of Mr. Galton, I made several trips between the 

 Bay and Scheppmansdorf, in order to arrange matters for my 

 intended journey to the Ngami. On one of these occasions 

 I was accompanied by my friend. When we had proceeded 

 little more than half the distance, and in a part of the plain 

 entirely destitute of vegetation, we discovered a male and fe- 

 male ostrich, with a brood of young ones about the size of 

 ordinary barn-door fowls. This was a sight we had long 

 been looking for, as Galton had been requested by Professor 

 Owen to procure a few craniums of the young of this bird, 

 in order to settle certain anatomical questions. According- 

 ly, we forthwith dismounted from our oxen and gave chase, 

 which proved of no ordinary interest. 



The moment the parent birds became aware of our inten- 

 tion, they set off at full speed, the female leading the way, 

 the young following in her wake, and the cock, though at 

 some little distance, bringing up the rear of the family party. 

 It was very touching to observe the anxiety the old birds 

 evinced for the safety of their progeny. Finding that we 

 were quickly gaining upon them, the male at once slackened 

 his pace, and diverged somewhat from his course ; but, see- 

 ing that we were not to be diverted from our purpose, he 

 again increased his speed, and, with wings drooping so as al- 

 most to touch, the ground, he hovered round us, now in wide 

 circles, and then decreasing the circumference till he came 

 almost within pistol-shot, when he abruptly threw himself on 

 the ground, and struggled desperately to regain his legs, as it 

 appeared, like a bird that has been badly wounded. Having 

 previously fired at him, I really thought he was disabled, and 

 made quickly toward him. But this was only a ruse on his 

 part ; for, on my nearer approach, he slowly rose and began 

 to run in an opposite direction to that of the female, who by 

 this time was considerably ahead with her charge. 



After about an hour's severe chase, we secured nine of the 

 brood ; and, though it consisted of about double that number. 



