184 WILD ANIMAL CELEBRITIES 



since refused to sit. And this fine pair of 

 ostriches is noted for being the oldest pair on 

 the farm, and for having produced the largest 

 number of birds. They both attract a great 

 deal of attention from visitors, whom they 

 seem to be pleased to see. But whether it is 

 the visitors or the fact that, in order to en- 

 tertain and amuse these visitors, George and 

 Martha are on these occasions given oranges, 

 I do not know. 



Bnt the visitors enjoy this little episode 

 very much. The ostriches keep a keen look- 

 out and, as the guide throws the yellow fruit 

 in all directions, they catch them very cleverly 

 and adroitly in their mouths and swallow 

 them whole ! The progress of the orange can 

 easily be noted as it makes its way down the 

 long narrow throat ; the ostrich swallows once 

 or twice, blinks its eyes with their long lashes, 

 gives a little gulp at the last, and the round 

 projection is lost to view in the mass of 

 feathers in the body. 



There was another noted ostrich on this 

 same farm who would swallow anything that 



