136 
NATURAL HISTORY 
OSTRICH. 
The Ostrich is the largest of the feathered 
race, and is found only in the torrid regions 
of Africa. In these formidable regions, 
Ostriches are seen in large flocks, which to 
the distant spectator, appear like a regiment 
of cavalry. The Ostrich is, of all animals, 
the most voracious. It will devour leather, 
grass, hair, iron, stones, or whatever is given 
to it. The female lays vciy large eggs, 
often weighing above fifteen pounds ; and in 
flavour are considered greatly superior to 
those of domestic fowls. Besides the value 
of their plumage, some of die savage nations 
of Africa hunt them also for their flesh, 
which they consider as a dainty. They 
also breed these birds tame, in order to eat 
the young, of which die female is said to be 
thetgreate* t delicacy. 
