226 ORNAMENTS OF THE VELD 



a lucrative article of commerce. In some portions of the 

 Transvaal, Rhodesia, Bechuanaland and Portuguese East 

 Africa troops of wUd birds still exist, and it is to be hoped 

 that steps will be taken to preserve these as much as possible 



It lays large straw-coloured eggs, the shell > being pitted 

 with tiny pores. 



During the year 1904, 470,381 lbs. of feathers valued at 

 £1,058,988 were exported from Cape Colony. 



Several serious diseases have been developed in the 

 Ostrich and its feathers ; these important matters are re- 

 ceiving the close attention of Dr. Duerden, Professor of 

 Zoology, Rhodes University College, Grahamstown, to 

 whose interesting papers in the Cape Agricultural Journal 

 and Proceedi/ngs of the South African Association for Advance- 

 ment of Science we must direct the reader for full particulars. 

 Dr. Duerden's work is such as to earn the gratitude of all 

 South Africa. 



