428 
BLACK OSTRICH* 
pebbles, of a pale yellow colour, and exceedingly 
hard : Thunberg was informed that these are often 
set and used for buttons. The shell of the egg is 
frequently used for drinking cups and other utensils, 
and is often set in gold for that purpose, being 
exceedingly hard, and equal in appearance to the 
finest ivory ; it is also cut into small pieces and 
used for many ornamental purposes, such as rings 
and necklaces. 
The great strength of these birds is exemplified in 
the following anecdote, related by Adanson, which 
took place during his residence at Podor, a French 
factory on the southern bank of the river Niger : 
he relates, that “ two Ostriches which had been 
about two years in the factory, and although 
young were nearly of their full size, were so tame 
that two little blacks mounted both together on 
the back of the largest : no sooner did he feel 
their weight, than he began to run as fast as 
possible, and carried them several times round 
the village, as it was impossible to stop him other- 
wise than by obstructing the passage. -This sigh-t 
pleased me so much, that I ordered it to be re- 
peated ; and to try their strength, directed a full 
grown negro to mount the smallest, and two others 
the largest. This burden did not seem at all 
disproportioned to their strength. At first they 
went a tolerably sharp trot, but when they became 
heated a little, they expanded their wings as 
though to catch the wind, and moved with such 
fleetness that they scarcely seemed to touch the 
