When the female returns to the nest, they take care not to molest her, it being the rule to kill the male in the first instance. It is, therefore, customary to await his return from the pasture, which happens about noon, when the hunter holds himself ready. The ostrich, while engaged in incubation, spreads out its wings so as to cover all the eggs. In this position, with its legs bent under the body, the thighs are very conspicuous. This circumstance is favourable to the marksman who aims to break the leg of the bird. All chance of escape is thus cut away, which would not be the case were it is wounded in any other part. As soon as the ostrich is down the hunters run up and cut its throat. The two marksmen come out of their holes, and their companions, attracted by the report, lend their assistance. All traces of blood are quickly covered with sand, and the body of the bird carefully concealed. At sunset the female returns as usual to pass the night close to the nest. The absence of the male causes her no anxiety, for she fancies he has merely gone away to feed, and she quietly sits upon the eggs. She is then killed in the same manner as her mate, by the hunter who has not previously fired. The one who shot the male receives a _douro_ in addition to his proper share; but if, what rarely happens, he should miss his aim, he pays to his companions the value of the bird: "We chose thee," they say, "as the best shot: we placed thee in the good position to do us a benefit, and lo! thou workest us such a wrong as this. Thou shalt pay for it." The hunter who killed the female receives only an egg over and above his share. If he miss, he forfeits what would have come to him from the price of the male and the eggs. The one who is to fire at the male is appointed beforehand.