144 A COLONY IN THE MAKING chap. 



ence was repeated on two subsequent days ! The skins 

 of the dead beasts were found torn and scratched in 

 every direction by the barbs. Hardly less pertinacious, 

 and more difficult to bring to justice, are the native 

 thieves. The fact that the birds must be enclosed at 

 night renders the theft of feathers easy and in certain 

 districts a great deal of loss has been suffered. The 

 authorities have undoubtedly done their best to stamp 

 out the evil, but their efforts have not up to date been 

 crowned with any conspicuous success. Some of the 

 heaviest sufferers are undoubtedly and naturally getting 

 exasperated, and there is always the fear least they 

 may take the law into their own hands. We may 

 anticipate that there will be legislation of a more drastic 

 nature in the near future. 



Smarting from the ill effects of one or other species 

 of marauder, breeders from time to time take a pessi- 

 mistic view of their prospects. Thus one of the fore- 

 most ostrich farmers in the Protectorate writes that, 

 as being the result of personal experience, the following 

 pithy article on the ostrich may be of value : — 



" The ostrich is, as is well known, a beautiful bird of 

 enormous value on account of its priceless feathers, 

 which are universally worn by the fairest of the fair — 

 including the natives of East Africa — more especially 

 as a head-dress. Unlike other birds, he has six toes, 

 and although two useful legs, generally prefers to roost 

 on one. It is a bird of abnormal intelligence, as may 

 be grasped from its reputation of employing the very 

 cute ruse, when attacked by an enemy, of burying its 

 head in the sand to avoid recognition. As regards 

 diet it is equally remarkable, and in this country it 

 seems to thrive best on hard, sharp, and as a rule 

 shining objects, such as empty cartridge cases (more 

 especially of the -450 brand), staples, long nails, 



