416 CURSORES. 



marbles. He picks up also some small bulbs, and occa- 

 sionally a wild goui'd to afford moisture ; for one was 

 found with a melon, which had choked him by sticking 

 in his throat. The plumage is of a glossy jet-black colour, 

 with the single exception of the white feathers which are 

 the objects of trade. Nothing can be finer than the 

 adaptation of these feathers for the climate of Kalahare, 

 where these birds abound ; tor they afford a i)erfect shade 

 to the body, with free ventilation beneath them. The 

 hen is of a dark brownish- grey colour, and so are the 

 half-grown cocks. The organs of vision in this bird are 

 placed so high, that he can detect an enemy at a great 

 distance ; but the lion sometimes kills him. It seeks 

 safety in flight : but when pursued by dogs, it may be 

 seen to turn upon them and inflict a kick, which is 

 vigorously applied and sometimes "breaks the dog's back." — 

 Livingstones Missionary Travels in South Africa. 



The American Ostrich (Rhea Americana), called also 

 the Nandu, is not more than half the size of the African 

 species, from which it differs structurally in having three 

 toes upon each foot, and the head and neck clothed with 

 downy feathers, also in the total absence of tail-feathers. 

 The plumes of the wings are elongated and decomposed, 

 somewhat resembling in structure those of the African 

 Ostrich, to which, however, they are very far inferior in 

 delicacy, and are only employed in the manufacture of 

 light brooms. These birds are found abundantly in the 

 great plains of South America nearly down to its southern 

 extremity. They live in flocks, and are polygamous ; the 

 male bird scratches a hole for the reception of the eggs, 

 which he collects from the scattered places where they are 

 frequently deposited by the females, and afterwards sits 

 upon them. According to Mr. Darwin, the males when 

 thus engaged sit so closely that they may almost be ridden 

 over before they will stir ; but at the same time they are 

 so fierce that if disturbed they will often attack the in- 

 truders, and have been known to leap up and endeavour 

 to kick a man on horseback. These birds, Mr. Darwin 

 informs us, show no reluctance to take the water, but 

 will swim easily, but slowly, across even broad and rapid 

 rivers, or from island to island in bays. They are hunted 

 by men on horseback, and captured either by means of the 

 lasso, or with an instrument composed of two large balls, or 



