THE OSTRICH. 



15 



alarmed a whole caravan. There is no spot, 

 however sterile, but what is capable of supply- 

 jng them with provision, as they are of all crea- 

 tures the most voracious, and possess surprising 

 powers of digestion. Hence they will devour 

 leather, hair, stones, or any thing that is given 

 to them \ and those substances which the coats 

 of the stomach cannot soften, are excluded in 

 the form in which they were swallowed. In 

 Southern Africa they are exceedingly injurious 

 to the farmers ; as they will destroy a field of 

 wheat so effectually as not to leave a single ear 

 behind. 



