258 HABITS OF THE OSTRICH. 



times causes the Boer considerable damage by trampling 

 down and eating the grain. 



The opinions of authors and sportsmen with regard to the 

 ostrich vary considerably. Some ascribe to it great stu- 

 pidity, while others consider it as possessed of vivacity and 

 much intelligence. Without passing a judgment, I will only 

 mention that I have seen it exhibit these opposite qualities 

 in no small degree. 



In a domesticated state, it is true, the ostrich appears to 

 be a quiet, dull, and heavy-looking bird; but when seen in 

 its native haunts, it is restless, wary, and difficult of approach. 

 From its great stature, and the prominent position of its 

 eyes, its range of vision is naturally considerable, which en- 

 ables it to discover danger at a considerable distance. This, 

 together with the exposed localities frequented by it, probably 

 accounts for the comparatively few that even the mightiest 

 Nimrods of South Africa can boast of having killed. 



What may be the case with the ostrich in a wild state 

 is hard to say; but when in confinement, no bird or other 

 animal demonstrates so little discrimination in the choice of 

 its food, for it then swallows with avidity stones, pieces of 

 wood and iron, spoons, knives, and a variety of other indi- 

 gestible matters. This strange propensity and apparent ob- 

 tuseness of taste obtained for the bird at an early period 

 the epithet of " the iron-eating ostrich :" 



" The estridge that will eate 

 An horshowe so great 

 In the steade of meat ; 

 Such fervent heat 

 His stomach doth freat."* 



Many amusing anecdotes are told of the strange habits of 

 this bird. Once — so runs the story — when the ostrich was 

 still a rare sight in Europe, a woman, on hearing of the ar- 

 rival of a batch of these birds, and being anxious to obtain 

 * '- The Boke of Phihp Sparrow." 



