THE OSTRICH. 11 



walk ; this is the after-effect of the birds having eaten 

 some poison, and altliough they may live for a long 

 time the}^ will gradually get w^orse and die. 



THE WING, 



which constitutes nearly the whole value of the bird, 

 is exceedingly small, and the feathers are unadapted for 

 flight, but in other respects it is perfect. 



They are rather subject, especially as young birds, 

 to put out the first or small joints which is known by the 

 wing hanging down. It is easily pulled into place, and 

 should be at once tied to the other wing over the back, 

 and left, when it will soon get right again. 



THE HEAD 



is exceedingly small, and consequently the brain is 

 small also. This has been calculated to be in the pro- 

 portion of 1 to 1,200 as compared with its whole body, 

 wdiilst the eagle's is as 1 to 160, and the parroquet's as 

 1 to 45 ; and yet the bird is anything but stupid, as 

 eveiy man must own who has seen it breaking open the 

 shell to let out a chick that is fast inside, or has seen it 

 managing its chicks. The eye is the only organ of the 

 head we have known subject to disease. In all cases 

 there is nothing like pouring in a lotion of sulphate of 

 zinc, and repeating it constantly — as much as will lie 



