xiv PIGS, CATTLE, OSTRICHES 141 



his present capital, and one, moreover, which will show 

 every sign of further growth. 



The area to be selected should be chosen for the 

 natural feed thereon ; for the number of wild birds 

 who frequent, or have in the past frequented it, 

 thereby furnishing evidence of its suitability ; for the 

 lack of lions, leopards, cheetahs, or other vermin, and 

 for the possibility of irrigation. The last item is on a 

 small scale almost essential, since a certain quantity of 

 lucerne throughout the year is necessary to keep the 

 birds in a thoroughly healthy condition. The flock 

 may be started by buying breeding birds, young 

 chicks or eggs, or by the capture of young chicks and 

 the discovery of wild nests. On the score of expense, 

 the latter method is to be recommended. Up to the 

 age of a fortnight or rather more, wild chicks can be 

 ridden down and a most entertaining pastime it is ; 

 but the better way is to watch for the nest with 

 glasses from a likely hill-top. When the cock and 

 hen change, which they do generally about ten in the 

 forenoon and four in the afternoon, is the most likely 

 time to locate the nest. In approaching, care should 

 be taken not to go too close, since a hyaena is fully 

 capable of following up the human trail to obtain 

 his favourite meal, with the result that the next 

 morning inspection will reveal a scene of devasta- 

 tion. It is sometimes said than an old hoop or a 

 piece of iron will keep off the vermin in the same 

 way that a partridge's nest may be preserved from 

 the attacks of the fox. 



Among the best portions of the Protectorate from 

 which eggs or young birds may be obtained are the 

 Southern Game Reserve and adjoining areas and the 

 Loieta, Lemmik, Sotik, and Yatta plains. Eggs are, 



