J 44 
A COLONY IN THE MAKING 
CHAP. 
ence was repeated on two subsequent days ! The skins 
of the dead beasts were found torn and scratched in 
every direction by the barbs. Hardly less pertinacious, 
and more difficult to bring to justice, are the native 
thieves. The fact that the birds must be enclosed at 
night renders the theft of feathers easy and in certain 
districts a great deal of loss has been suffered. The 
authorities have undoubtedly done their best to stamp 
out the evil, but their efforts have not up to date been 
crowned with any conspicuous success. Some of the 
heaviest sufferers are undoubtedly and naturally getting 
exasperated, and there is always the fear least they 
may take the law into their own hands. We may 
anticipate that there will be legislation of a more drastic 
nature in the near future. 
Smarting from the ill effects of one or other species 
of marauder, breeders from time to time take a pessi¬ 
mistic view of their prospects. Thus one of the fore¬ 
most ostrich farmers in the Protectorate writes that, 
as being the result of personal experience, the following 
pithy article on the ostrich may be of value :— 
“ The ostrich is, as is well known, a beautiful bird of 
enormous value on account of its priceless feathers, 
which are universally worn by the fairest of the fair— 
including the natives of East Africa—more especially 
as a head-dress. Unlike other birds, he has six toes, 
and although two useful legs, generally prefers to roost 
on one. It is a bird of abnormal intelligence, as may 
be grasped from its reputation of employing the very 
cute ruse, when attacked by an enemy, of burying its 
head in the sand to avoid recognition. As regards 
diet it is equally remarkable, and in this country it 
seems to thrive best on hard, sharp, and as a rule 
shining objects, such as empty cartridge cases (more 
especially of the *450 brand), staples, long nails, 
