STRUTHIONID^R. 281 



539, StruthiO CamelUS, Auct. ; The Ostrich, or 



Struysvogd of Colonists. 

 Geneeal colour, black in the male ; cinereous in the female 

 and young male ; feathers of the spurious wings and tail, pure 

 white, or sometimes mottled with black ; neck covered with 

 brown hair-like feathers ; stands about eight feet high. 



The Ostrich is still found in most of the Karroo country, within the 

 borders of the colony. It usually runs in small families of from three 

 to six individuals — except, of course, in the breeding season, when a 

 hen and her whole clutch of chickens may be seen together. 



The hen lays a large number of eggs in her nest (thirty-six have 

 been found in one), while many more are dropped in the neighbour- 

 hood. The farmers affirm that these latter are broken when the 

 young are excluded, and serve for their first meals. They also affi.rm 

 that more than one female lays in a nest, which is always on a sandy 

 patch, and that they incubate by turns. The eggs measure : axis, 

 6"; diameter, 4" 9'" or 5." 



The South African ostrich is now recognised as distinct from the 

 North African bird, to which probably the name of " Camelus " was 

 originally given. The egg of the former may at once be distin- 

 guished by its finer texture. 



