326 OSTRICHES. 



by different authors, that it is not satisfactorily marked out by 

 any special peculiarities of structure, and forms rather an arbitrary 

 assemblage than a group distinguishable by clearly recognizable 

 features. In Cuvier's classification they constitute a division of 

 the Order of Stilted Birds (Grallatores) characterized by the short- 

 ness of their wings, and hence named Brevipennes. It is quite 

 evident that, owing to their great size, any natural exertion of 

 muscular power would have been insufficient- to raise them from 

 the ground, and hence the power of flight has been denied to them 

 altogcthcr.* 



They compose but a single family — 



THE OSTRICHES. STRUTHIONID.E. 



This family comprehends the true Ostriches, the Bustards, and 

 the Apteryx. 



Sub-Family I. 

 THE TRUE OSTRICHES. STRUTHIONIN^. 



Gener.'VL Characteristics. — Bill broad, depressed and rounded in front ; the toes 

 two or three in number, and all placed anteriorly. 



This giant of the race is distinguished from all other birds by 

 the structure of its feet, which have only two toes, of which the 

 outer one is considerably shorter than the inner. Over the bound- 

 less African desert the Ostrich roams in flocks, trusting, like the 

 antelopes, to swiftness of foot for security from animals of prey 

 or the pursuit of man. So rapid is its course, indeed, that the 

 swiftest horse is unable to keep up with it. 



" The ostrich is generally seen quietly feeding on some spot 

 where no one can approach him without being detected by his 

 wary eye. As the waggon moves on far to the windward, he thinks 

 it is intending to circumvent him, so he rushes up a mile or so to 

 the leeward, and so near to the front oxen, that one sometimes 

 gets a shot at the silly bird. When he begins to run, all the game 

 in sight follow his example. I have seen this folly taken advan- 



* See "Animal Creation," page 342. 



