XXX11 PBOCEEDINGS, OCTOBER. 



able character of a kick from an ostrich was exemplified by the fact that 

 at Graff Reinet the back of a horse was broken by one such blow. 

 The best means of escaping injury when attacked by the bird was to lie 

 down and submit to the inevitable pummelling he would administer. 

 The writer inclined to the natural hatching of the eggs by the birds as 

 preferable to the use of incubators, although the incubator was an 

 essential appliance for use in the case of emergencies. The process of 

 clipping and preparing the plumage for market was described, followed 

 by examples of high prices paid a few years ago— the halcyon days of 

 ostrich farming for both bird and plumage. The growth of the industry 

 in Cape Colony was such that from 80 tame ostriches in 1865, in 10 

 years the total had reached 32,247, and the export of feathers was 

 49,9691b., valued at £304,933, and in 1882 feathers were exported to 

 the value of £1,093,939. Recent statistics showed that the supply had 

 exceeded the demand, and the enomous profits arising in the past from 

 the sale of the young birds and feathers would never again be realised, 

 butsubstantial recompense would still be earned by a skilful and in- 

 telligent management. The bird could be raised in any temperate 

 climate, and dry level wastes might be found suitable for the industry. 

 In Africa the birds had so lost their value they were not worth recover- 

 ing when they strayed, and it was proposed to repeal the Act protect- 

 ing the bird. 



COMPLIMENTARY. 



The President moved the usual vote of thanks to the contributors 

 ofpapers, after which the meeting adjourned. 



