AFRICAN OSTRICH. 175 
if still correctly observed, there is a novelty 
the most remarkable. 
M. Le Vaillant, in his account of the 
Cape of Good Hope, informs us that he once 
started an Ostrich from its nest, in which he 
found eleven eggs, quite warm, which, upon 
breaking, were found to contain young ones. 
In the mean time, his attendants eagerly 
caught up four other eggs, which were at a 
little distance, and which they said were 
sound and goed to eat. ‘They informed him, 
that near an Ostrich’s nest there are al- 
ways placed a certain number of  super- 
numerary eggs which are not sat upon, 
and which are designed for the first nou- 
rishment of the future young. ‘* Expe- 
rience,” adds M. Le Vaillant, ‘* has con- 
vinced me of the truth of the account, for I 
never afterward met with an Ostrich’s nest, 
without finding eggs deposited in this man- 
ner.” Some time after this, the traveller 
found a female Ostrich on a nest containing 
thirty-iwo eggs, and twelve eges were ar- 
ranged at a little distance, each in a separate 
cavity formed for it. He remained near the 
place some time, and saw three other females 
