THE OSTRICH. 



293 



hound. When roused from the desert, with their long legs 

 and huge strides, they scour away beyond a horseman's speed, 

 with their short wings expanded to balance them. Vain 

 would be the hope to catch them at first setting off, for in a 

 few minutes they are out of sight. The persevering hunter, 

 however, keeps on a steady course, sparing his horse, till he 

 can again see his game at a distance, when off it runs once 

 more, and thus, at length, by over-exertion, wears itself out, 

 its joints becoming stiffer after every run, till finally the 

 horseman approaches near enough to shoot it. 



In Morocco, the Arabs adopt another method. Mounted 

 on swift desert horses, called heiries, they set 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 

 impediment, it turns round and foolishly runs towards them, 

 when every huntsman fires, as opportunity occurs, until they 

 bring it down. 



