THE OSTRICH. 13 



THE LIVER 



comes immediately behind the heart. There is no 

 gall bladder. In health it is of a deep plum colour, 

 with a beautiful flush on it, and is remarkable for its 

 inviting look. 



These constitute the organs protected by the ribs, 

 and are separated from the remaining organs by a 

 diaphragm across the body. Continuing our course 

 from head to tail, we next have 



THE GIZZARD, 



or the mill where the food is ground up. This 

 should always be hard and full of stones. It is subject 

 in disease to get flabby, and consequently to allow 

 the stones to pass into the intestines and out in the 

 dung, as they should never do if the bird is in health. 

 But more of this in treating of worms. 



THE STOMACH 



is the organ into which the food passes at once when 

 swallowed. It corresponds with the crop of other birds. 

 It is here that the juices are given out to the food from 

 small cells dotted over a portion of the stomach, and 

 it is the seat of one of the most formidable diseases 



