Stories of Animals.
Hunting the Ostrich.
Besides the value of their plumage, some ⟨of⟩ the savage nations of Africa hunt them also ⟨for⟩ their flesh, which they consider as a dainty. ⟨As⟩ the spoils of the ostrich are thus valuable, it is ⟨not⟩ to be wondered at that man has become their ⟨most⟩ assiduous pursuer. For this purpose the ⟨Arabians⟩ train up their best and fleetest horses, and ⟨hunt⟩ the ostrich still in view. Perhaps of all other varieties of the chase, this, though the most laborious, is yet the most entertaining. As soon ⟨as⟩ the hunter comes within sight of his prey, he ⟨puts⟩ on his horse with a gentle gallop, so as to ⟨keep⟩ the ostrich still in sight; yet not so as to ⟨terrify⟩ him from the plain into the mountains. In th⟨is⟩ situation he somewhat resembles a man at ⟨full⟩ speed; his wings, like two arms, keep ⟨working⟩ with a motion correspondent to that of his legs and his speed would very soon snatch him ⟨from⟩ the view' of his pursuers; but, unfortunately ⟨for⟩ the silly creature, instead of going off in a ⟨direct⟩ line, he takes his course in circles; while the hunters still make a small course within, relieve ⟨each⟩
