iiSS THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



feed upon the most stunted herbage, and are capable of sup- 

 porting thirst for an incredibly long time, being, in fact, both 

 equally well formed for living on the arid plains, it is certainly 

 not to be wondered at that the ancients gave the ostrich a 

 name betokening this similitude (^Striithio camelus), and that 

 the fancy of the Arabs ascribes its original parentage to a bird 

 and to a dromedary. 



It is difficult to ascertain what the tastes of the ostrich may 

 be while roaming the desert, out when in captivity no other 

 bird or animal shows less nicety in the choice of its food, as it 

 swallows with avidity stones, pieces of wood and iron, spoons, 

 knives, and other articles of equally light digestion that may be 

 presented to it. ' Nothing,' says Methuen, speaking of a 

 domesticated ostrich, 'disturbed its digestion — dyspepsia 

 (happy thing) was undreamt of in its philosophy. One day a 

 Muscovy-duck brought a promising race of ducklings into the 

 world, and with maternal pride conducted them forth into the 

 yard. Up with solemn and measured stride walked the ostrich, 

 and, wearing the most mild and benignant cast of face, 

 swallowed them all, one after the other, like so many oysters, 

 regarding the indignant hissings and bristling plumage of the 

 hapless mother with stoical indifference.' 



The costly white plumes of the ostricli, which are chiefly 

 obtained from the wings, have been prized in all ages for the 

 elegance of their long, waving, loose, and flexible barbs. From 

 seventy to ninety feathers go to the pound ; but a single bird 

 seldom furnishes more than a dozen, as many of them are spoilt 

 by trailing or some other accident. The vagrant tribes of the 

 Sahara sell their ostrich plumes to the caravans which annually 

 cross the desert, and convey them to the ports of the Mediter- 

 ranean. Here they were purchased as far back as the twelfth 

 or thirteenth century, by the Pisanese or Grenoese merchants, 

 through whose agency they ultimately crossed the Alps to 

 decorate the stately BurggvofiuTien of the Ehine, or the wives 

 of the opulent traders of Augsburg or Nurem))erg. At a still 

 m/>re remote period the Phoenicians brought ostrich-feathers 

 from Ophir to Tyre, whence they were distributed among the 

 princes of the Ea,stern world. 



In Algeria, the ostrich is often domesticated, particularly on 

 account of its eggs, which weigh three pounds, and are equiva- 



