A DESERT NINCOMPOOP 179 



hen, almost exactly matching the dry grey desert, 

 takes over the job during the day. 



There is some doubt whether the ostrich depends 

 on the heat of the sun to help the hatching process. 

 I have frequently rim across nests of eggs with no 

 bird aroimd. But never have I done this when 

 the sun was at its full tropical force. Surely the 

 scorching heat of an African midday would penetrate 

 even the thick shell of an ostrich egg. 



In breeding season one cock goes about with four 

 or five hens. Most of the time he pretends to be 

 utterly indifferent to the ladies in his harem; but he 

 eyes them, none the less, while they mince and preen 

 and otherwise cast their net for his majesty. 



If another cock, especially a young one, arrives on 

 the scene and makes any advances towards the hens, 

 there is a terrific nmipus right away. The king-pin 

 prances about and makes jerky threatening motions 

 with his powerful foreleg that tell the intruder in no 

 imcertain language to beat it. The youngster never 

 fights, but prances away in skittish fashion, pretend- 

 ing that he didn't mean anything serious at all. 



After some days the hens begin to work on the love 

 nest. 



There is only one nest for the whole family, which 

 is both inconvenient and impractical. But such is 

 ostrich fashion, and ostrich fashion is just as foolish 

 as that of the himian being. The site of the nest 



