ABOUT OSTRICHES. 161 



zarmack at Constantinople. Mixed among their flocks 

 and herds were a great number of tame ostriches, both 

 young and old. This addition had a very quaint and 

 unusual effect something, truly, that European eyes are 

 quite unacquainted with, whether in reality or picture. 



These strange birds generally stalked at the head 

 of the procession, and appeared to be on most excellent 

 terms with all the domestic animals. Occasionally one 

 would deviate to the right or left of the track to peck a 

 mouthful of grass, but as soon as the driver would leave 

 the road and shout at it, it would immediately fall into 

 its proper place and march forward with the utmost 

 demure gravity, as if to be guilty of an infringement of 

 rules was the last thing it would think of. Ostriches 

 always have an intensely stupid look, but they are not 

 nearly such fools as the uninitiated would take them 

 for ; and although the most timid creatures on the 

 earth when in a state of nature, in captivity or when 

 domesticated they are bold and dangerous, more espe- 

 cially the males. Horse or rider indiscriminately they 

 will attack, walking up to the object of their indigna- 

 tion with a quiet, measured stride, never evincing for a 

 moment the slightest evidence of hostility in fact, 

 looking such fools that no one would imagine them 

 capable of inimical ideas when with a quick movement, 

 done with great strength and velocity, they raise their 

 foot and -strike forward, the edges of the toes being so 

 sharp that they will cut your clothes the whole length 

 of the stroke. As they are too valuable to be knocked 

 on the head, perhaps you turn to run from them, but 

 their speed is such that an attempt thus to elude them is 

 useless. The only plan then to be pursued is to throw 

 yourself down, and lie still on your face or back. They 



