CURSORES, OR RUNNING BIRDS. 



ITH tin- >-ii:i- it commune** a most im|*>rtant group <f birds, containing the 

 largest and most jx.w.-rfiil niernlters cif the feathered triU-, and termed Curaorea, 

 or Running-BinK mi nrcomit of their gmit sjM^d of foot and total impotence of 

 wing. All tin- birds Mongini: to tliis order have the l-gs dfvc]o]ifl to an extra- 

 ordinary degree, tin- IxdH-s l-ing long, stout, ami m-arly :us solid as thoae of a 

 hors<', and almost devoid of the air-<vlls which givi* such lightnews to the 

 hones of most Kirds. By the aid of the microscope, the |*-<-uliar character of tin- 

 hone is clearly shown, though the IMW of an Ostrich or Cassowary is very different from the 

 same bone in a fowl or a piireon. The wings are almost wanting externally, their hopes, 

 although retaining the same numU-r and form as in ordinary birds. Iteing very small, as if sud- 

 denly checked in their growth. The huge wing muscles which give such prominence to the 

 breast of flying birds, are therefore not required, and the breast-bone is consequently devoid of 

 the projecting keel, and is quite smooth and rounded. 



