THE SOCIETY'S OSTRICHES. 
169 
able forcing and then only within secure fences. They are 
quite domesticated, and will eat freely from the hand of 
any one entering their enclosure. 
The hen having again laid a nest of eggs, and brought 
out six chicks late in the autumn, in consequence of the 
very mild and dry winter of last year, they were success- 
fully reared through the delicate stage of their growth, 
and having quite escaped the usual disease, have now 
grown into large birds, and promise as well as any of the 
whole flock. They are, however, rather wild, and can only 
be closely approached by their keeper. 
During last summer the old hen once more laid and 
brought out a clutch of young birds. These were not 
taken from her, but though very carefully attended to, fed, 
and watched, the result has been unsatisfactory. Two or 
three were carried off by an eagle during the dinner hour, 
and when they were about as large as their assailant itself. 
No danger from this source had been suspected, and it 
was only when the last chick was taken that the cause of 
the mysterious disappearance of the others was made plain. 
The eagle was shot by the keeper while in the act of 
carrying off the body of the young bird. The male ostrich 
killed two others, and the rest that died were taken off by 
the common disease. Three now only remain, and one of 
these is already ill, though not of late getting any worse. 
If no further casualties arise with the young birds now 
nearly full grown, next summer, or at the latest the one 
following, should see at least five or six hen birds in full 
laying condition, and these, with the great attention they 
receive and the fuller experience regarding their manage- 
ment which has now been gained, should speedily expand 
into a large and profitable flock of ostriches. 
The number and description of the flock as it now exists 
is as follows : — 
