THE OSTRICH. 119 



that the cock (and perhaps some of the hens) abandons the 

 nest in disgust before the full period of incubation is completed. 

 This he never does if he has only one hen and is undisturbed by 

 other birds. . 



It must also be noted that chicks are attended by one cock 

 and one hen, and that the pair will kick any birds, chicks or 

 adults, that approach them ; also that it is a common rule 

 among Ostrich farmers to camp off special breeding birds in 

 pairs. 



Every authority that I have consulted holds that the Ostrich 

 is polygamous, but the evidence against polygamy is very strong: 

 a pair make the nest ; the hen lays all her eggs (a full sitting) in 

 that nest ; the hatching of the eggs and the care of the chicks 

 are shared equally by cock and hen ; the cock loses his sexual 

 vigour and ceases his attentions to the hen, soon after beginning 

 to sit; and one hen to a nest yields the best results. 



Evidences for Monogamy stronger than for Polygamy. 



I do not, however, think it can be maintained that the 

 monogamy of the Ostrich is proved absolutely, but I decidedly 

 think that the arguments in its favour are much stronger than 

 those in support of polygamy. That there is a thoroughly 

 organized polygamy I do not believe. It may perhaps be said 

 that the present state of the relation between the sexes is not 

 quite organized; but if monogamy is not yet firmly established, 

 I hold, at least, that the tendency is that way, and am certain 

 that monogamy is the state most suitable to the propagation of 

 the species, though, under certain conditions, polygamy may be 

 resorted to. 



Curious and Exceptional Relations. 



Finally, it must be allowed that, while all the facts at my 

 command point strongly to the conclusion that the Ostrich is 

 not only often monogamous, but that monogamy is the only 

 condition perfectly favourable to the successful hatching and 

 rearing of young ; and that all the arguments in favour of 

 polygamy break down on examination : yet the fact remains that 

 there are a large number of curious and exceptional circumstances 

 connected with the nidification, sexual relations, and parental 

 habits of Ostriches that I am not yet exactly able to account 



