144 THE OSTRICH — THE BAKAI,AHARI. 



successfully ; yet the quantity of feathers collected 

 annually shows that the numbers slain must be con- 

 siderable, as each bird has only a few in the wings and 

 tail. The male bird is of a jet-black glossy colour, with 

 the single exception of the white feathers, which are 

 objects of trade. Nothing can be finer than the adap- 

 tation of these flossy feathers for the climate of the Kala- 

 hari, where these birds abound ; for they afford a perfect 

 shade to the body, with free ventilation beneath them. 

 The hen ostrich is of a dark brownish-grey colour, and so 

 are the half-grown cocks. 



The organs of vision in this bird are placed so high that 

 he can detect an enemy at a great distance, but the Hon 

 sometimes kills him. The flesh is white and coarse, 

 though, when in good condition, it resembles in some 

 degree that of a tough turkey. It seeks safety in flight ; 

 but when pursued by dogs it may be seen to turn upon 

 them and inflict a kick, which is vigorously applied, and 

 sometimes breaks the dog's back. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



The Bakalahari, who live at Motlatsa wells, have always 

 been very friendly to us, and listen attentively to instruc- 

 tion conveyed to them in their own tongue. It is, however, 

 difficult to give an idea to a European of the little effect 

 teaching produces, because no one can realize the degra- 

 dation to which their minds have been sunk by centuries 

 of barbarism and hard struggling for the necessaries of 

 life : like most others, they listen with respect and 

 attention, but, when we kneel down and address an 

 unseen Being, the position and the act often appear to 

 them so ridiculous that they cannot refrain from bursting 

 into uncontrollable laughter. After a few services they 

 get over this tendency. I was once present when a 

 missionary attempted to sing among a wild heathen tribe 

 of Bechuanas, who had no music in their composition ; 

 the effect on the risible faculties of the audience was such 

 that the tears actually ran down their cheeks. Nearly all 



