Birds Whose Feet and Legs are 

 Strongly in Evidence. 



THE bird most celebrated for fleetness in running is 

 the Ostrich, or Bird-camel (Struthio camelus), as 

 it may well be named. "What time she lifteth up 

 herself on high," says Job, "she scorneth the horse and 

 his rider." 



According to most writers, the wings serve both for 

 sails and oars, whilst the feet, which have only two toes, 

 and are not unlike the camel's, can bear great fatigue. M. 

 Montbeillard, however, was of opinion that it does not 

 spread its wings and tail-feathers with the view of assist- 

 ing its motion, but from the common effect of the 

 corresponding muscles, as a man in swimming throws 

 out his arms. Though the ostrich is universally admitted 

 to run faster than the fleetest horse, the Arabs contrive to 

 run these birds down on horseback, their feathers being 

 valuable and their flesh not to be despised. 



The best and fleetest horses are trained for this chase. 

 When the hunter has started his game he puts his horse 

 upon a gentle gallop, so as to keep the ostrich in sight 

 without coming too near to alarm it and put it to its full 

 speed. Upon observing itself pursued, therefore, it begins 

 to run at first but gently, its wings, like two arms, keeping 

 alternate motion with its feet. It seldom runs in a direct 

 line, but, like the hare, doubles, or rather courses in a 

 circular manner, while the hunters, taking the diameter 

 or tracing a smaller circle, meet the birds at unexpected 

 turns, and with less fatigue to the horses. This chase is 

 often continued for a day or two, when the poor ostrich 



"5 



I 2 



