THE OSTRICH. 219 



ostriches, which were no larger than guineafowls. 

 "The mother," says he, "sought to deceive us after 

 the manner of the wild duck. She started off, ex- 

 tending her wings, then let herself fall to the ground 

 as though she were wounded; whilst the male cun- 

 ningly departed with the little ones in an opposite 

 direction." 



Livingstone frequently mentions young coveys going 

 under the conduct of a male, which endeavoured to 

 appear lame, in order to turn upon himself the 

 attention of the hunters. 



We read in the Clievaux clu Sahara that when the 

 hunters catch up the young ones, in sight of the male, 

 he becomes excessively agitated and manifests the most 

 vivid grief ; but he does not give himself up to moan- 

 ing. He is not wanting in courage. 



Here is an instance which proves it. It is related in 

 a report, addressed from Geryville to the Zoological 

 Society (Paris). " Si-Djelloul-Ben-Hamza, and his bro- 

 ther Si-Moharnmed-Ben-Hamza, one day, whilst hunt- 

 ing the ostrich, came upon the track of a whole family, 

 conducted by one male and two females. Si-Moham- 

 med, having come first in sight of the ostriches, fired 

 and wounded one of the females. The male then 

 rushed at him, and struck the horse on the chest with 

 his leg, on which the latter threw his rider and fled. 

 The ostrich then turned its blows against Si-Moham- 



