NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Nests of ostriches found in Africa. 



ostrich from its nest in Africa, where he found 

 eleven eggs quite warm, and four others at a 

 short distance. Those in the nest had young in 

 them; hut his attendants eagerly caught up the 

 detached ones, observing that they were good 

 to eat. ' They informed him, that near the nest 

 are always placed a certain number of cti^s 

 which the birds do not sit upon, and which are 

 designed for the first nourishment of the future 

 young. " Experience," says this traveller, " has 

 convinced me of the truth of this observation ; 

 for I never afterwards met with an ostrich's nest, 

 without finding eggs disposed in this manner at 

 a small distance from it." 



Some time after this, our author found a female 

 ostrich on a nest containing thirty-two eggs; 

 and twelve eggs were arranged at a little dis- 

 tance, each in a separate cavity formed for it. 

 He remained near the place some time ; and saw 

 three other females come and alternately seat 

 themselves in the nest; each sitting for about a 

 quarter of an hour, and then giving place to ano- 

 ther, who, while waiting, sat close by the side of 

 her whom she was to succeed. 



In proof of the affection, which these birds 

 bear toward their offspring, Professor Thunberg 

 relates, that he once rode past the place where a 

 hen ostrich was sitting on her nest; when she 

 sprang up and pursued him, evidently with a 

 view to prevent his noticing her eggs or young. 



