Page 98 - The World of Animals

Another interesting piece of information about ostriches is that the

care of all eggs in a flock is undertaken by a single female ostrich. But,

96 since the nest can shelter only a limited number of eggs, the female
ostrich gives priority to her own eggs. Ostriches distinguish their own
eggs by the air pores on the egg shells.

The baby ostriches emerging from the eggs are utterly defenceless. At
any moment, they could be attacked by a predatory bird. Yet, when new-

born ostriches feel endangered, they lie on the ground and act as if dead.
This way, their predators, assuming they are dead, do not attack them.

Without exception, all baby ostriches employ this defence mechanism.
It is impossible for a new-born chick to think up such a tactic or to

learn how to employ it! So, how could a baby bird that has only
recently opened its eyes to the world act as if dead? The answer is

obvious. Our Lord, the One Who teaches and educates every living
being, has also taught these little babies such an effective defence

mechanism, so that they can protect themselves.