26 JANUARY 1924, Page 12

Sin, — This extract from Jock of the Bushveld may throw light

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on this question :—

" And the ostrich is not the fool it is thought to be—burying its head in the sand ! Knowing how the long stem of a neck will catch the eye, it lays it flat on the ground, as other birds do-when danger threatens the nest or brood, and concealment is better than flight. That tame chicks will do this in a bare paddock is only a laughable assertion of instinct."

It is-probable that this subterfuge is only employed at nesting time. The Stone-Curlew, Wild Geese, and Red-throated Divers are all khown to lay their head and neck flat along the ground in order to escape discovery when on their nests.—We are, Sir, &e.,

DOB.A AND SYLVIA LONGSTAFF.

Picket Hill, Ringwood, Hants.