OSTRICHES. 



115 



time, the bird runs from them against the wind, till 

 finding its wings an impediment, it turns round and 

 foolishly runs towards them, when every huntsman 

 fires, as opportunity occurs, until they bring it down. 

 At Bornou, in the interior of Africa, they adopt a 

 very different method, for which, patience instead of 

 speed is required: on finding a nest, a hole is dug, in 

 which the finder buries himself, leaving only his 

 head and arms free, and then quietly waits the return 

 of the bird; and when she is steadily seated on her 

 nest, an arrow is shot through her head. 



So great is their muscular strength, that tame 

 ones will run along with a person on their back; 



I 2 



