v 
38 THE NATURAL HISTORY 
It has been faid, that their affection for their 
eggs was fo great, that one method of taking them 
was to plant ftakes, fharpened at the point, ata 
_ proper height from the ground near the nef, 
and that the Oftrich, in its hafte to return to the 
eggs, would aes entangle itfelf among 
them. 
 Kolben fays, that they fit upon their eggs like. 
other birds, and that the cock and the hen take i it 
~ by turns. 
Some Oftriches, that were keep in the mena; 
eerie. at Verfailles, in France, laid feveral eggs; | 
but though fome were expofed to the fun, and - 
others kept warm by means of fire, none of them. 
produced any young ones. ? 
It is faid, that young Oftriches can run as 
foon as they are hatched, and take care of them- 
felves; fo that in very hot climates, where their 
food is in great plenty, their parents leave them 
fo foon as they leave. the fhell: but at the Cape 
of Good Hope, where the climate is lefs hot, the 
mother continues her care over the young fo tong 
as it is neceflary. ; 
The firft year young Offriches are of a grey 
afh colour, and entirely covered with feathers; 
but thefe feathers do not long continue, and the 
go, the upper part of the neck, and the fides 
under ~ 

