NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



the crest are lines of pale yellow plume-like feathers running 

 from behind the nostrils to above the eye. Below, including a 

 patch under the wing, pure white. The tail consists of sixteen 

 feathers. Iris dull rose-pink. Bill dull pink. Feet reddish. 



Length, 25.0 ; flipper, 6.3 ; tail, 3.7. 



Distribution. — Its home is on the various islands in the 

 Great Southern Ocean. Verreaux mentions having seen a 

 dead specimen near Cape Point in 1828, and Layard captured 

 one in Table Bay in 1868. No specimens of these are in 

 existence for identification. The specimen in the Port Elizabeth 

 Museum was obtained alive in Algoa Bay in February 19 14. 



Habits. — Like other species of penguins, it feeds on fish 

 which it captures by diving. 



Southern Ostrich {Struthio australis). (Vol. II., p. 313.) 



The male ostrich is black with white tail and wing plumes, 

 and the average height is 7 ft. 



The female is about 6 ft. high, and dull drab or pale brown 

 in colour, with the exception of the tail and wing plumes, 

 which are white tinged with rufous. The eye is large and 

 hazel in colour. 



Distribution. — The southern ostrich formerly roamed in a 

 wild condition throughout the drier and open parts of South 

 Africa from the Cape to the Zambesi. Further north it is 

 replaced by other species of ostriches. A few wild ostriches are 

 still to be found in Bechuanaland, Kalahari, and in the west 

 Protectorate. 



Habits. — The ostrich wanders great distances, feeding as it 

 goes on leaves and other suitable vegetable matter, supplemented 

 by insects, small reptiles, the nestlings of ground birds, mice, etc. 

 The ostrich is now bred in South Africa on an extensive scale 

 for its feathers. The hen bird lays from 15 to 20 eggs, one 

 being deposited every second day. The hen sits on the eggs 

 during daylight hours, and the cock at night. When covering 

 the eggs the bird rests its tail and its long neck on the ground 

 so as to appear as inconspicuous as possible. 



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