2328 



THE TIN AM US, FLIGHTLESS BIRDS, ETC. 



acterized by the short stunted nails on the toes, the great proportionate length of 

 the humerus of the rudimental wing, and the absence of aftershafts to the feathers. 

 In the skeleton the f urcnla is wanting, the pubic bones of the pelvis unite in a sym- 

 physis (as they do in many reptiles but in no other birds), and the lower end of the 

 tibia has no bony bridge over the extensor tendons; while there are also certain 

 characteristic features in the base of the skull, into the consideration of which it 

 will be unnecessary to enter. In addition to their large size and two toes, ostriches 

 are characterized externally by the small and flattened head, in which the short beak 



OSTRICHES FEEDING. 



is broad and depressed; the long, powerful, and practically-naked neck; the full and 

 massive body, provided with short wings; the muscular and partly bare thighs, and 

 the stout metatarsus and foot. The beak has a very wide gape, reaching back to 

 the line of the eyes, and the nostrils open near the middle of its length. The third 

 toe is much larger than the fourth, and both are furnished with soft fleshy pads on 

 the under surface. In the immature state the skin is covered with coarse plumage 

 of a mottled dark brown and yellowish-white hue, the neck being completely bare. 

 In the adult female the color changes to a nearly uniform dusky gray; but in the 

 male, while the body feathers are black, the tail feathers and quills of the wings are 



