Jack and the Ostrich. 85 



Jack waited patiently, and soon saw the ostrich 

 running back towards him. 



" Well, Mr. Ostrich," said Jack, " that was fine. 

 I should not care to race with you. Can you tell 

 me how you run so swiftly ? " 



" Certainly," said the ostrich, " look at my feet, 

 and you will see a pad under each. These help 

 me to spring at every step. My wings help me, 

 and my legs are so long that I get over the 

 ground very rapidly. 



" Jack, did you ever see any ostrich's eggs ? " 



" No," said Jack, " please tell me about them." 



" Well, Mrs. Ostrich and two or three of her 

 friends dig a hole in the sand. The mothers lay 

 their eggs in the same hole, and take turns in 

 sitting upon them. Sometimes, one of the fathers 

 takes a turn sitting, while the mothers go visit- 

 ing. Then the hot sun shines on the eggs every 

 day and helps them to hatch. 



" The eggs are as large as cocoanuts. People, 

 who make their homes in the desert, eat these 

 eggs. One egg is large enough for the whole 

 family." 



" Your head and neck are nearly bare, and your 

 prettiest feathers grow in your wings and tail," 

 said Jack. 



