84 Jack and tJie Ostrich. 



" My home is across the sea in the hot desert," 

 said the ostrich. 



" How tall you are ! " said Jack. 



" Yes," said the ostrich, " I am the largest of 

 all the birds. I am seven feet high." 



"Oh ! your head is higher than my father's. 

 Why do you need that long neck ? " 



" Don't you know, little boy, I have to reach 

 up into the tall trees to get some of my food ? " 



" I thought you ate glass, stones, and leather," 

 said Jack. 



" I do, but only when I can find nothing better. 

 I often swallow small stones to help grind my 

 food, but I am fond of fruit, leaves, grain, snails, 

 and insects." 



" You have a very small head and wings. Can 

 you fly, Mr. Ostrich ? " asked Jack. 



" Oh, no ! my wings are too small ; but I can 

 run faster than any horse. Would you like to 

 see me ? " 



Before Jack could answer the ostrich was 

 gone. How fast he ran ! In a few minutes Jack 

 could not see him. 



" Oh ! " said he, " I do hope he will come back, 

 for I like to talk with him/ 1 



