185 



CHAP. II. 



THE OSTRICH, THE EMU, THE CASSOWARY, AND 

 THE DODO. 



THE OSTRICH. 



THE ostrich is allowed to be the largest of birds, and, 

 in appearance, bears some resemblance to the camel : 

 the internal conformation of this extraordinary crea- 

 ture bears as near a similitude to the race of quadru- 

 peds as to that to which it peculiarly belongs. The 

 head and bill somewhat resemble those of a duck : the 

 neck, though infinitely longer than a swan's, is formed 

 very much in the same shape ; and the legs and thighs 

 are not unlike those of a hen. This gigantic creature 

 generally measures seven feet from the top of its head 

 to the ground, three of which are allowed for the head 

 and neck, as from the back it is only four ; but, when 

 the neck is stretched out in a line, it measures six feet 

 from the- head to the rump : each wing, without the 

 feathers, is about a foot and a half in length; but when 

 they are on, they are at least double. 



The plumage is generally a mixture of black and 

 white, though, upon the tail and wings, the latter co- 

 lour prevails ; and the bodies of some are said to be 

 grey. The feathers upon the tail and wings are held 

 in such high estimation, that the creature is hunted 

 merely for their sale. The sides under the wings, and 

 the thighs of this animal, are all totally devoid of fea- 

 thers ; the latter are extremely large and fleshy, co- 

 vered with a white skin of a pinkish hue, which is 

 drawn up in wrinkles somewhat like a net, whose meshes 

 will admit of a finger between : the legs are covered 

 with large scales ; the end of the foot is cloven, and 



