528 STRUTHIONID^E STRUTHIO 



that a man can hardly walk a quarter of an hour without seeing one 

 or more." 



It is impossible within a few paragraphs to do anything more 

 but touch lightly on one or two more important points of the habits 

 of this interesting bird. The best early account is undoubtedly that 

 of Lichtenstein, while recently Mr. Cronwright Schreiner has given 

 very clearly and plainly the results of his observation and experi- 

 ences as an Ostrich farmer. 



In a natural state the Ostrich was usually seen in small parties 

 of a cock and several hens or young birds ; they very often attached 

 themselves to the large herds of game so abundant on the South 

 African plains, and appear to have had a special predilection for the 

 Quagga and Black Wildebeeste. The Ostrich is a great runner, and 

 will outstrip and exhaust a mounted horse ; it has a long raking 

 stride and does not, as is commonly supposed, aid itself by its wings, 

 which are kept just on a level with the back and free from the thighs 

 and are not raised up or spread out. Ostriches can jump over quite 

 high places and deep ditches, and can also swim very well. The 

 cry of the Ostrich is a booming or "brooming" noise, by many 

 people compared to the roar of a lion when heard at a considerable 

 distance. It is confined to the cock bird, and is generally heard at 

 night. It can only be produced by the bird when standing still. 

 Besides this both sexes can give an angry hiss and a guttural gurgle 

 when frightened, while the chicks have a plaintive penetrating 

 " cheep." 



The Ostrich is a delicate feeder, walking vast distances and 

 plucking a leaf here or a leaf there, but seldom stopping long in one 

 place, and carefully selecting what it likes. When domesticated 

 lucerne and other green stuff is specially grown for them, while 

 in some parts of the country they feed largely on the prickly pear. 

 Apart from its regular food, the Ostrich has a way of picking up 

 and swallowing almost anything small enough to pass down the 

 neck, such as oranges, small tortoises, chickens, cartridge cases, and 

 especially copper coins, which have been found solidified together 

 into considerable masses in the stomachs of individuals which have 

 lived in captivity in the Zoological Gardens in London. 



It has usually been stated and maintained that the Ostrich is 

 polygamous, the cock mating with several hens, all of whom lay 

 in a single nest ; this is denied by Mr. Cronwright Schreiner, who 

 maintains that the cock pairs only with a single hen and that one 

 pair alone are responsible for the nest. He further states that 



