OSTRIOH.-.9(ni(Sto Cavulus. 



same desert plains. It is also polygamous, each male bird having from two to seven 

 wives. The nest of the Ostrich is a mere shallow hole scooped in the sand, in which are 

 placed a large number of eggs, all set iipright, and with a number of supplementaiy eggs 

 laid round the mai'gin. 



The eggs are hatched mostly by the heat of the sim ; but, contrary to the popular belief, 

 the parent birds are very watchful over their nest, and aid in hatching the eggs by sitting 

 upon them during the night. Both parents give then- assistance in this task. The eggs 

 •which are laid around the margin of the nest are not sat upon, and consequently are 

 not hatched, so that when the eggs witliin tlie nest are quite hard, and the young bird is 

 nearly developed, those around are quite fit for food. Their- object is supposed to be ta 



