198 OSTRICH. 



neck are above three feet long. From the top of the head 

 to the rump, when the neck is extended in a right line, it 

 is six feet long, and the tail is about a foot more. 



The plumage of the ostrich is generally a mixture of 

 black and white, though in some varieties it is observed to 

 be grey. The largest feathers, which are situated at the 

 extremity of the tail and wings, are commonly white ; the 

 next row are black and white ; and, of the small feathers 

 on the back and belly, some partake of both colours. 

 There are no feathers on either the sides or the thighs, or 

 under the wings ; and the lower part of the neck is covered 

 with still smaller plumage than the belly and back. All 

 the feathers are of a kind peculiar to this bird; being as 

 soft as down, absolutely unfit to help the animal in flight, 

 and still less adapted for defence against external injury. 



The upper parts of the head and neck are covered with 

 a very fine clear white hair, shining like the bristles of a 

 hog ; and in several places are tufts of the same nature, 

 each consisting of about twelve hairs issuing from a single 

 shaft. At the extremity of the wings is a kind of spur, 

 resembling the quill of a porcupine. The legs are covered 

 with scales, and the bill is short and pointed. 



From this brief description, it will be evident that the 

 ostrich bears no great affinity to any other bird ; and indeed 

 not only its structure but its habits are peculiar. It inhabits 

 the torrid regions of Africa and Asia only, and has never 

 been known to breed out of the country where it was first 

 produced. It seems perfectly adapted to the sandy and 

 burning deserts of those continents ; and delights in wild 

 solitary tracts, where few vegetables adorn the face of na- 

 ture, and where the rain seldom descends to refresh it. 

 Indeed it is asserted that the ostrich never drinks ; and the 

 place of its habitation seems to give a sanction to this 

 opinion. 



In these inhospitable regions, ostriches are seen in large 

 flocks. They teed, indiscriminately, on every thing eatable, 

 nor are they likely to be at a loss for provisions, as long as 

 even the sterile sand on which they walk remains. Their 



