614 • AVES — OSTRICH. 



faster than a racehorse, there is no reason to believe they could hold out so 

 long. 



From ancient writers we learn, that whole nations have acquired the name 

 of Struthiophagi (ostrich-eaters) from the preference which they had manifest- 

 ed for the flesh of this bird. Apicius has recommended a peculiar sauce for 

 the ostrich, which shows at least that it was eaten among the Romans, and 

 at a single feast the emperor Heliogabalus was served with the brains of s?.r 

 hundred of these animals. Even at this period, some of the savage nations 

 of Africa hunt them not only for their plumage, but for their flesh also, which 

 they consider as a dainty. They sometimes also breed these birds tame, to eat 

 the young ones, of which the female is said to be the greatest delicacy. The 

 skin of the ostrich is so thick, that it is used for leather by the Arabians; 

 and of the eggs drinking cups are made. The value of the plumage is well 

 known in most countries of Europe. 



As the spoils of the ostrich are thus valuable, it is not to be wondered at 

 that man has become their most assiduous pursuer. For this purpose, the 

 Arabians train up their best and fleetest horses, and hunt the ostrich still in 

 view. Perhaps, of all varieties of the chase, though the most laborious, it is yet 

 the most entertaining. As soon as the hunter comes Avithin sight of his prey, 

 he puts his horse to a gentle gallop, so as to keep the ostrich still in sight ; yet 

 not so as to terrify him from the plain into the mountains. Upon observing 

 himself, therefore, pursued at a distance, the bird begins to run at first, but 

 gently, either insensible of his danger, or sure of escaping. In this situa- 

 tion he somewhat resembles a man at full speed ; his wings, like two arms, 

 keep working with a motion correspondent to that of his legs ; and his 

 speed would very soon snatch him from the view of his pursuers, but, unfor- 

 tunately for the silly creature, instead of going otf in a direct line, he takes his 

 course in circles ; while the hunters still make a small course within, relieve 

 each other, meet him at unexpected turns, and keep him thus still employed, 

 still followed, for two or three days together. At last, spent with fatigue and 

 famine, and finding all power of escape impossible, he endeavors to hide 

 himself from those enemies he cannot avoid, and covers his head in the 

 sand, or the first thicket he meets. Sometimes, however, he attempts to face 

 his pursuers; and, though in general, the most gentle animal in nature, 

 when driven to desperation, he defends himself with his beak, his wings, 

 and his feet. Such is the force of his motion, that a man would be utterly 

 unable to withstand him in the shock. 



The Struthiophagi had another mode of capturing these animals. They 

 disguised themselves in the skin of an ostrich, and putting one of their arms 

 through the neck, they imitated all its motions. By this means they are 

 said to have enabled themselves to approach and take them at pleasure. In 

 the same manner the savages of America disguise themselves as a roebuck, 

 in order to surprise that animal. 



