250 THE OSTRICH WHERE FOUND SIZE AND WEIGHT. 



we found it necessary to be contented with what we had 

 bagged.* 



On returning to the Bay, however, the next morning in a 

 mule-cart, Mr. Galton again encountered the same birds with 

 the remainder of the family, and, after a short race, cap- 

 tured six more of the chicks. 



The ostrich (which, from possessing the rudiments of a 

 gall-bladder, and the absence of wings fit for flight, seems to 

 form a kind of connecting link between the two great fam- 

 ilies of mammalia and aves) is an inhabitant of a large j)ortion 

 of Africa, but rarely extends farther east than the deserts of 

 Arabia. Throughout the Indian Archipelago, the family of 

 birds (of which the ostrich is the leading type) is represented 

 by the cassowary ; in Australia by the emeu ; in the south- 

 ern extremity of the western hemisphere by the rhea ; and 

 even in Europe, though somewhat departing from the type, 

 it has its representative in the stately bustard. 



Any thing like a scientific description of the ostrich would 

 here be out of place ; but it may be proper to mention that 

 the lower part of the neck and the body of the mature male 

 bird are of a deep glossy black, intermingled with a few 

 whitish feathers, only visible when the plumage is ruffled. 

 " In the female the general color of the feathers is of a gray- 

 ish or ashy brown, slightly fringed with white. In both sexes 

 the large plumes of the ■v\angs and tail are beautifully white." 



The ostrich, when full grown, stands no less than from 

 seven to eight feet, and instances are recorded where indi- 

 vidual birds have attained as much as nine. Its weight is 

 proportionate. Judging from what I have experienced in 

 carrying the dead body, it is not less, perhaps, than two or 

 three hundred pounds. Indeed, there are persons who be- 

 lieve that the mature bird, when in prime condition, as a 

 butcher would say, will attain a weight of thirty stone. 



* The wood-cut on the preceding page is a faithful representation 

 of the chase described, which took place shortly before sunset. 



