252 OSTRICHES POLYGAMISTS THE BREEDING SEASON, 



" A region of emptiness, howling and drear, 

 Which man hath abandoned from famine and fear ; 

 Which the ostrich and lizard inhabit alone, 

 With the twilight bat from the old hollow stone ; 

 Where grass, nor herb, nor shrub take root, 

 Save poisonous thorns that pierce the foot ; 

 And the bitter-melon for food and drink, 

 Is the pilgrim's fare by the salt lake's brink !" 



Although the ostrich is undoubtedly capable of undergo- 

 ing thirst for a considerable period, yet water appears to be 

 indispensable to its existence. In the dry and hot season J 

 have often observed the same flock drinking almost daily. 

 They swallow the water by a succession of gulps. On such 

 occasions, that is, when approaching a spring, they seem 

 quite stupefied. While staying at Elephant Fountain, where 

 in a short time I killed eight of these magnificent birds, they 

 made their appearance regularly every day about noon ; and 

 although the locality afforded but indiiferent shelter, they 

 invariably allowed me to get within range, only retreating 

 step by step. 



Like the capercali of Europe, the ostrich has a plurality 

 of wives — from two to six, it is said. The breeding season 

 would seem to be somewhat undefined, for I have met with 

 nests in every month from June till October. Each female 

 is represented as laying from twelve to sixteen eggs, and all 

 in one and the same nest, which is simply a cavity scooped 

 out in the sand. 



Both male and female assist in hatching the eggs, which 

 are placed upright, in order, it would seem, " that the great- 

 est possible number may be stowed within the space." When 

 about a dozen eggs are laid, the bird, which squats astride 

 over them, with its legs pointed forward, begins to sit. I 

 liave observed that on perceiving a man, instead of running 

 away from the nest, it not unfrequently lowers its conspicu- 

 ous neck till it becomes in a line wjtji the ground, evidently 

 in the hope that it may be passed unnoticed. 



