20 APRIL 1996, Page 25

Laying an egg

NOW that ostriches have written them- selves into my Bad Investment Guide, I am reminded that the Lord gave Job an early warning: 'Gayest thou wings and feathers unto the ostrich? Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, and forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them; because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath He imparted to her under- standing.' So much for the ostrich nest egg.