THE OSTRICH NO FOOL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 305, 12 September 1929, Page 6

THE OSTRICH NO FOOL.

INGENIOUS CAMOUFLAGE. Among the mimetic resemblances in the plumage of birds, there is one very interesting case that seems to have escaped the attention of most naturalists—that of the ostrich, writes Professor R. J. Harvey-Gibson In “Chambers’ Journal." A well-known proverbial saying is that which likens human folly in certain circumstances to the behaviour of an ostrich making a futile attempt to escape danger by h'ding its head in the sand, forgetful of the fact that its entire body remains exposed to view. The philosopher who made this comparison had obviously never closely studied the bird in its native haunts, for it is by no means the fool it is made out tc be. The isolated shrubs scattered over the Karroid plains of South Africa are dull grey-green or brown in colour and present the general appearance of a simple short stlem, also greyish-brown in hue, ending in a dense mop of short branches. When an ostrich is at rest or on the trot, but scenting no danger, the long white ncelc is one of the most, conspicuous features on the plain. When frightened, however, its habit is to flee for safety among these bushes, suddenly stop dead, bend its long neck down between its legs, as if burying its head in the sand, and then to fluff out its brownish-grey feathers, so that, at a distance, it is almost impossible to determine which is ostrich and which is bush. The ingenious method of camouflage was first noted bv Lady Crooks, the wife of the distinguished chemist, Sir William Crookes.