en lays ten
eggs--so it is supposed--all in the same nest, and each egg is stood up on
end."

"It must take a big, big nest to hold them; such great big eggs as you say
they are, papa!"

"Yes, and generally there are some to be found lying on the sand outside
of the nest; perhaps laid there by hens who came to lay in it but found
another in possession; one who had got there before them."

"I have often heard or read that the ostrich leaves her eggs lying in the
sand to be hatched by the heat of the sun," remarked Evelyn.

"Perhaps she does in those very hot countries," said the exhibitor, "but
not in California; though, as I've been telling you, she makes the male
bird do the most of the setting."

"Maybe that's because the eggs are all his, but don't all belong to any of
the females," laughed Walter.

"Perhaps that is it, sir," returned the man.

"Can they run very fast?" asked Neddie. "I should think they could with
such great long legs."

"Yes," said his father, "the ostrich is supposed to be able to run at the
rate of sixty miles an hour when it first sets out, but is not able to
keep up that rate of speed very long. And it has a habit of running in a
curve instead of a straight line. It is thus possible for men on horseback
to meet it and get a shot at it."

"I think it's a great pity to shoot them when they are not even good to
eat," remarked the little fellow in indignant tones. "Besides, they might
save them to grow feathers."

"Yes," returned the exhibitor, "that's what we're raising them for in
California."

"Papa, I'd like to have some," said Neddie as they walked away.

"Some what, son?"

"Ostriches, papa."

"About how many?"

"Couldn't we have an ostrich farm?" asked the little fellow after a
moment's consideration of the question.

"Well, not to-day, my son," returned his father with an amused look.
"There will be plenty of time to talk it over before we are ready to go
into the business."

CHAPTER IV.

"I think the little folks are getting tired," said Harold. "and yonder on
the lagoon is a gondola waiting for passengers. Shall we take it?"

Everybody seemed pleased with the suggestion, and presently they were in
the gondola gliding over the water. They found it both restful and
enjoyable.

It was past noon when they stepped ashore again, and Ned announced that he
was hungry and wanted something to eat.

"You shall have it, my son," said his father.

"And suppose we