OSTRICHES 



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is a very stupid creature, but it does not, as is commonly sup- 

 posed, hide its head in the sand and imagine that, not being able 

 to see its enemies, it cannot be seen by them. That is a myth 

 apparently based upon the fact that, when in repose, an ostrich 

 sometimes lies with its long neck stretched upon the ground. 



FIG. 179. Side view of male ostrich. (Photograph from the Bureau of 

 Animal Industry, United States Department of Agriculture) 



Since the wings of the ostrich are useless for flight, the flight 

 feathers have lost the structure adapted to that purpose and 

 have developed into beautiful plumes. The tail feathers have 

 also undergone a similar change. These wing and tail feathers 

 are the ostrich feathers of commerce. The neck and head of 

 the ostrich are almost bare of feathers. The body is covered 



