OSTRICB..- Struthio CamMus. 



same desert plains. It is also polygamous, each male bird having from two to seven 

 wives. The nest of the Ostrich is a mere shallow hole scooped in tlie sand, in which are 

 placed a large number of eggs, all set upright, and ^x\i\\ a number of supplementary eggs 

 laid round the margin. 



The eggs are hatched mostly by the heat of the sun ; but, contrary to the popular belief, 

 the parent birds are very watchful over their nest, and aid in hatching the eggs by sitting 

 vipon them during the night. Both parents give their assistance in this task. The eggs 

 wliich are laid around the margin of the nest are not sat upon, and consequently are 

 not hatched, so that when the eggs witliin the nest are quite hard, and the young bird is 

 nearly developed, those around are quite fit for food. Their object is supposed to be to 



