THE STORY OF THE OSTRICH. 
Ostrich farming has become an important industry in several parts of 
Africa and Asia, and has been introduced recently into the United States and 
is successfully carried on in Arizona and California. I have frequently had 
opportunities to study the habits of this bird at these farms. None of the 
characteristics of the ostrich is as unique as the manner of hiding from a foe 
adopted by the foolish bird. As it lives chiefly in desert-like districts where 
the soil is sandy, it experiences little difficulty in burying its head, and this 
subterfuge is always adopted when flight is not possible. I have often seen 
a recently captured ostrich watch the approach of a man, and after seeking 
to escape, it simply dropped to its knees and dug its head into the sand until 
its eyes were covered. This attitude it would maintain for half an hour, 
when, looking up and the man being out of sight, it would resume its 
gambols or feeding. But when flight is possible, it escapes danger by run¬ 
ning. Since it cannot run in a straight line, a man on horseback can readily 
secure it by intercepting its course, instead of riding after it. Its speed is 
greater than that of the fastest horsg. 
I have seen a number of large ostriches, one of which measured 4 feet 
10 inches in height at the back, and had a total length of 4 feet 3 inches. 
Ordinary examples reach oydy about 3 feet 8 inches in height. 
The digestion of an ostrich is proverbial, and while in their general diet 
these birds will eat all kinds of food, they are likewise in the habit of swallow- 
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