THE OSTRICH. 2? 



A singular spectacle. 



birds, and by that means are able to approach 

 near enough to surprise them. 



Ostriches are tamed with very little trouble; 

 and in their domestic state few animals may be 

 rendered more useful: for besides the valuable 

 feathers which they cast, and the eggs which 

 they lay; their skins are used by the Arabians as 

 a substitute for leather ; and they are even some- 

 times made to serve the purpose of horses. 



Mr. Adanson informs us, that during his resi- 

 dence at a French factory on the south bank of 

 the river Niger, two ostriches, which had been 

 about two years in the factory, afforded him a 

 sight of a very extraordinary nature. These gi- 

 gantic birds, though young, were of nearly the 

 full size. " They were," says he, " so tame that 

 two little blacks mounted both together on the 

 back of the largest. No sooner did he feel their 

 weight, than he began to run as fast as possible, 

 and carried them several times round the village; 

 as it was impossibJe to stop him, otherwise than 

 by obstructing the passage. This sight pleased 

 me so much that I wished it to be repeated ; and, 

 to try their strength, directed a full-grown negro 

 to mount the smallest, and two others the largest. 

 (See the annexed Engraving). This burthen did 

 not seem at all disproportioned to their strength. 

 At first they went at a pretty sharp trot; but 

 when they became heated a little, they expanded 

 their wings, as though to catch the wind, and 

 moved with such fleetness that they scarcely 

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