Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 39.djvu/802

782 stood gasping for breath, with pendent wings, open bills, and inflated throats, the pictures of imbecile dejection." For water-supply during these terrible seasons the farmers build dams where the waters of the thunderstorms are collected and stored. But even the most capacious lakes thus formed must dry up in a long drought; "and that land-owner is wise who does not depend solely on this form of water-supply, but who takes the precaution of sinking one or more good wells. This is expensive work,. . . but



the advantage is seen during the protracted droughts. Then, on farms which only possess dams, the ostriches and other stock are seen lying dead in all directions, a most melancholy sight. Where there is a well, however, the animals can always be kept alive. The water may go down rather low, and the supply doled out to the thirsty creatures may not be very plentiful; but with careful management no stock need be lost during the longest of droughts."

In the early days of ostrich farming splendid fortunes were made. Feathers were worth $500 a pound, and $2,000 or $2,500 was no uncommon price for a good pair of breeding birds, while little chicks were worth $50 each. Indeed, the unhatched eggs have sometimes been valued at the same amount. But with the larger supply, $60 may be regarded as a fair price for the best pair of ostriches, and 30 shillings, as against £25 in the old times, for the feathers of the handsomest bird at one plucking.