186 SAFARI 



with a sticky gum of a resinous tree. The cone is 

 then filled with a particularly succulent shrub of 

 which the ostrich is very fond. When the bird 

 has eaten down to the gummy lining the cone sticks 

 on its head completely blinding it. 



Now the native can approach the ostrich with 

 impunity, though he must remain in rear of the bird 

 so as to be clear if it kicks. The ostrich farmer 

 resorts to the same general method, except that his 

 paddock man employs a long bamboo rod with an 

 iron crook at its end to pull the bird's head in. 

 A small black cap, like a hangman's bonnet, is then 

 fitted over beak and eyes and tied some inches down 

 the wriggling neck. Though twenty men could 

 not pull the feathers out or clip them before the bird 

 is thus blinded, he is docile as a kitten once he cannot 

 see. I should add in passing that there is not the 

 slightest pain connected with the clipping of an 

 ostrich. No doubt it is a relief to the bird to be rid 

 of his hot coating. 



The natives have no utilitarian use for the feath- 

 ers. They bedeck their shields and spears with 

 plumes very much as did the knights of mediaeval 

 times. In ceremonials, ostrich -feather ornaments 

 play a considerable part in making the native and his 

 trappings both colorful and impressive. 



I don't think I should mind a tame lion or leopard 

 or elephant. Even a tame zebra or buffalo can be 



