132 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



much improved when several horsemen are engaged in the chase, 

 each, on the occasion, taking a different angle. If these tactics be 

 adopted on a very hot day, it is not unusual for an entire flock to be 

 ridden to a standstill ; in cool weather they are capable of running 

 clean away from any ordinary Colonial horse in a stern-on chase. The 

 cock birds when domesticated are exceedingly dangerous to approach, 

 especially in the breeding season, fatalities very often occurring in 

 connection with them, and when bent on attack, they first commence 

 operations by knocking down an intruder with a forward kick, and if 

 not thoroughly satisfied with this feat, they then proceed to execute 

 a series of hornpipes on the generally inanimate body, and as a full- 

 grown Ostrich will weigh between two and three hundred pounds, 

 it may be imagined that individuals so operated upon, have not, as 

 a rule, an opportunity of afterwards relating their experiences. 

 No instances have been recorded in which the wild birds exhibit 

 this vicious disposition. Early in the morning they emit a sound 

 not at all unlike the very much subdued roaring of a Lion, but a 

 very little experience will be sufficient to enable one to be dis- 

 tinguished from the other. It is quite a mistake to suppose that 

 Ostriches exist altogether without water ; they will certainly not go 

 very much out of their way to obtain it, but where a ready oppor- 

 tunity is afforded, they drink constantly. Almost every introductory 

 book to natural history deals fully with the habits and peculiarities 

 of these birds, and also of the numerous devices employed by the 

 Bushmen and other natives for their destruction. It is therefore 

 unnecessary to devote more space to them, but anyone anxious for 

 further information will be amply repaid by the perusal of Mr. J. W. 

 Douglas' excellent work on the subject. 



