AMERICAN OSTRICHES. 



329 



young in charge of the male bird, who made a very good attempt 

 to appear lame in the plover fashion, in order to draw off the 

 attention of pursuers. The young squat down and remain immove- 

 able when too small to run far, but attain a wonderful degree of 

 speed when about the size of common fowls. It cannot be asserted 

 that ostriches are polygamous, though they appear to be so. The 

 Ggfe is possessed of great vital power : one kept in a room during 

 more than three months, in a temperature of about 60° when 

 broken was found to have a partially developed live chick in it. 

 The food of the ostrich consists of leaves of various kinds, with 

 pods, and seeds of different species of leguminous plants ; but as 

 these are hard and dry, he picks up a great quantity of pebbles, 

 many of which are as large as marbles. He picks up also some 

 small bulbs, and occasionally a wild gourd to afford moisture ; 

 for one was found with a melon, which had choked him by stick- 

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

 with the single exception of the white feathers which are the ob- 

 jects of trade. Nothing can be finer than the adaptation of these 

 feathers for the climate of Kalahare, where these birds abound, 

 for they afford a perfect 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 dis- 

 tance ; 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." — Livingstone's ''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 Hght brooms. These birds are found 

 abundantly in the great plains of Soutn 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 intruders, 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 



