THE OSTRICH. 155 



Is this a solitary or a social bird ? 



The Ostrich is a very social bird. In the deserts 

 where they live, they are sometimes seen in large 

 flocks, which, at a distance, appear like a troop of 

 soldiery. 



The Ostrich is as singular in his habits and manners, 

 as he is in his form and appearance. He inhabits the 

 most solitary and barren deserts, where there are only 

 a few vegetables, and where it seldom or never rains. 

 The Arabs say that this bird never drinks, and proba- 

 bly this is true, for in the country he chiefly inhabits, 

 no water is to be found. 



Like the elephant, this bird never multiplies out 

 of his native country, so that every Ostrich seen in 

 Europe and America, has once been an inhabitant of 

 the deserts of Africa or Asia. 



When this bird runs, he makes a proud and lofty 

 appearance, but he cannot, like most of the feathered 

 species, rise from the ground, and fly into the air. 

 His wings are so short, and small, that he cannot raise 

 himself with them from the ground, but they assist 

 him greatly in running, so that he can outrun the 

 swiftest horse. 



The Ostrich lays her eggs in the sand, without the 

 trouble of preparing a nest, like most other birds. 

 The eggs are nearly as large as the head of a child, 

 and weigh about fifteen pounds each. During the 

 day, when the sun shines, these eggs remain sufficiently 

 warm, and the bird leaves them, to go in search of 

 food for herself ; but at night she carefully broods 

 over them ; and in this it is said, the male is some- 

 times so kind, as to take turns with her. 



