THE BLACK, OR GREAT OSTRICH. 295 



M. Le Vaillant informs us. that, in Africa, he started an Ostrich 

 from its nest, where he found eleven eggs quite warm : he alsc found 

 four others at a little distance. Those in the nest had young-ones in 

 in them; but his attendants eagerly caught up the detached ones, 

 assuring him that they were perfectly good to eat. They informed 

 him, that near the nest there are always placed a certain number of 

 eggs, which the birds do not sit upon, and which are designed for the 

 first nourishment of the future young. " Experience, (says M. Le 

 Vaillant) has convinced me of the truth of this observation.; for I never 

 afterwards met with an Ostrich's nest, without finding eggs disposed ID 

 this manner." 



Some time after this, M. Le Vaillant found a female Ostrich on a 

 nest containing thirty-two eggs ; and twelve eggs were arranged at a 

 little distance, each in a separate cavity formed for it. He remained 

 i.ear the place some time; and saw three other females come and 

 alternately seat themselves in the nest ; each sitting for about a quarter 

 of an hour, and then giving place to another, who, while waiting, sat 

 close by the side of her whom she was to succeed. 



That Ostriches have a great affection for their offspring, may be in- 

 ferred from the assertion of Professor Thunberg, that he once rode past 

 the place where a hen Ostrich was sitting on her nest ; when the bird 

 sprang up and pursued him, evidently with a view to prevent hia 

 noticing her eggs or young. Every time he turned his horse towards 

 her, she retreated ten or twelve paces ; but as soon as he rode on 

 again, she pursued him, till he had got to a considerable distance from 

 the place where he had started her. 



If the eggs of Ostriches be touched by any person in the absence of 

 the parents, the birds not only desist from laying any more in the samo 

 place, but trample to pieces with their feet all those that have been 

 left. The natives of Africa, therefore, are very careful in taking part 

 of the eggs away, not to touch any of them with their hands, but 

 always to push them out of the nest with a long stick. 



In the interior of the eggs there are frequently discovered a number 

 of small oval-shaped pebbles, about the size of a marrow-fat pea ; of a 

 pale yellow color, and exceedingly hard. Mr. Barrow states that he 

 Baw in one egg nine and in another twelve. These stones are some- 

 times set, and used for buttons. 



This gentleman, states that the eggs of the Ostrich are considered a 

 great delicacy. They are prepared as food in various ways : but the 

 best way, he says, is to bury them in hot ashes ; and, through a hole 

 made in the upper end, to stir the contents round till they acquire 

 the consistence of an omelet. Prepared in this manner he often found 

 them an excellent repast, in his long journeys over the wilds of Africa. 

 These eggs are easily preserved for a great length of time, even at sea ; 

 and without any of that trouble of constantly turning them, which is 

 necessary with hen's eggs. This is owing entirely to the thickness 

 and strength of the shells. At the Cape of Good Hope they are usually 

 sold for about twelve cents each. From their large size, one of them 

 is sufficient to serve two or three persons at a meal. 



Thunberg saw necklaces and ornaments for the waist, that had been 



