THE OSTRICH. 



321 



off in parties of about twenty, riding against the wind, 

 till they meet with the track of an Ostrich, separated 

 themselves at distances of about half a mile apart; 

 when, as soon as they obtain a view of their game, they 

 'spur onwards at full speed. For a time, the bird runs 

 from them against the wind, till finding its wings an im- 

 pediment, it turns round and foolishly runs towards 

 them, when every huntsman fires, as opportunity occurs, 

 until they bring it down. 



At Bornou, in the interior of Africa, they adopt a 

 very different method, for which, patience instead of 

 speed is required : on finding a nest, a hole is dug, in 

 which the finder buries himself, leaving only his head 



and arms free, and then quietly waits the return of the 

 bird; and when she is steadily seated on her nest, an 

 arrow is shot through her head. 



So great is their muscular strength, that tame ones 



Y 



