CHAPTER II. 



THE OSTRICH. 



The Ostrich family is represented by four species, viz., 

 the Ostrich proper {Strvthio camelus), the Rhea, the 

 Emu, and the Cassowary. Some naturahsts give a fifth, 

 viz., the Apteryx, inhabiting New Zealand ; but this 

 we consider a mistake, as^ although it possesses many 

 of the characteristics of the Ostrich, it differs from 

 them so much in other respects as to exclude it from 

 the family. 



The family differs from other birds in haviug only 

 rudimentary wings, unadapted to flight ; in having the 

 barbs of the feathers of equal length on each side of the 

 quill, and of such a nature as to deprive it of the means 

 of flight, and in having the breast rounded like a barrel, 

 instead of being like a keel, as in birds of flight. 



THE OSTRICH PROPER 



is distinguished from the other members of the family — 

 (1.) By being the only one with two toes : 

 (2.) By beiug twice the size of the others : 

 (3.) By its eggs averaging upwards of three pounds 



