THE OSTRICH. 233 



encounter the horsemen, who at first only endeavour 

 to drive them back into the circle. The ostriches 

 thus begin to spend their strength in a rapid race, 

 for as soon as they are surprised they do not husband 

 their breath. They several times renew these man- 

 oeuvres, always seeking to get out of the circle, and 

 always returning, frightened by the horsemen. At 

 the first signs of fatigue the hunters fall upon them. 

 After some time the flock begins to disperse, and 

 to show signs of weakness and lassitude by open- 

 ing their wings ; the horsamen then, certain of their 

 prey, slacken their pace. 



" Each one chooses an ostrich and follows it, and 

 when he reaches it he deals it a heavy blow on the 

 head, either from behind or the side, which fells it. 

 The rider then dismounts in order to bleed it, taking 

 care to hold the throat away from the body, so as not 

 to soil the feathers. When the ostrich is on the point 

 of being caught, it is so fatigued that, if the hunter 

 does not wish to kill it, it is a very easy matter to 

 bring it back quietly, directing it with the stick; it can 

 then scarcely walk." 



The ostrich is taken by watching for it when it has 

 laid its eggs, that is about the middle of the month of 

 November. Five or six hunters take with them two 

 camels laden with provisions for a month at least, and 

 begin by looking out for places where water has recently 



