156 THE OSTRICH. 



These birds, during the time they are hatching their 

 eggs, live in small familes, one male taking care of five 

 or six females. The eggs of the whole family are all 

 laid in the same place, and hatched at the same time. 

 If they are disturbed, or frightened, they sometimes 

 forsake their nests, and never return again to them ; 

 and, if, when they are away from their own nests, they 

 happen to meet with the eggs of another Ostrich, they 

 will adopt them as their own and hatch the young. 

 It is also said, that these birds sometimes leave their 

 young, in the same manner they do their eggs, and 

 never again return to them. 



The eggs of the Ostrich, in the country where they 

 are found, are considered the most delicate kind of 

 food. One egg will make a good dinner for four or 

 five persons. The flesh of this bird is also eaten by the 

 Arabs, but is coarse, and ill-tasted, and would not be 

 eaten by those who could obtain better meat. 



The Ostrich is chiefly hunted for his feathers, which 

 are sold in Europe and America, and are worn on the 

 head as an article of ornament. Princes, laides and 

 warriors, have for ages been fond of wearing the^ feath- 

 ers of this bird, in order to attract attention, or in- 

 crease the beauty of their appearance. But how degra- 

 ding the thought, that reasonable beings, should be able 

 to gain more attention from each other, by wearing the 

 feathers of a poor silly bird. 



HUNTING THE OSTRICH. 



Ostriches are taken in several ways. Sometimes 

 they are chased by dogs, or by men, mounted on hor- 

 ses ; sometimes they are taken by nets ; and sometimes 



