NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Clitise of the ostrich. 



any of that trouble of constantly turning them, 

 which is necessary with hen's-eggs : this is owing 

 entirely to the thickness and strength of their 

 shells. They are also so large, that one of them 

 is sufficient to serve two or three persons at a 

 meal. 



Thunberg saw necklaces and ornaments for 

 the waist, that the Hottentots had made of the 

 shells of the eggs, by grinding bits of them into 

 the form of small rings : and Mr. Barrow says that 

 in the interior of them are frequently discovered 

 a number of small oval-shaped pebbles, of a pale 

 yellow colour, and about the size of a large pear. 



The ostrich is chiefly valuable for its plumage; 

 and the Arabs have reduced the chase of it to at 

 sort of science. They hunt it on horseback ; and 

 begin their pursuit by a gentle gallop ; for were 

 they to use the least rashness, at first, the fleet- 

 ness of the game would immediately carry it out 

 of their sight, and in a very short time beyond 

 their reach. But when they proceed gradually, 

 it makes no particular effort to escape. It does 

 not go in a direct line, but runs first on one side 

 and then on the other; this its pursuers take ad- 

 vantage of, and by rushing directly onward save 

 much ground. In a few days, at most, the 

 strength of the bird is exhausted; and it then 

 either turns on the hunters in the fury of despair, 

 or hides its head and tamely submits to its fate. 

 Some authors relate that the natives frequently 

 conceal themselves in. the skin of one of these 



