486 



ORDER CURSORES; OSTRICH, RHEA. 



FIG, 275. AFRICAN OSTRICH. 



avoiding the presence of Man, but not disliking the society of 



other animals. Flocks of 

 Ostriches are not unfre- 

 quently seen on the Great 

 Karroo of South Africa, 

 in company with troops 

 of Quaggas, all amicably 

 feeding together, and when 

 alarmed scouring the de- 

 sert with extraordinary 

 rapidity. The Ostrich is, 

 indeed, one of the swift- 

 est, if not the most rapid, 

 of all running animals. 

 When darting along in a 

 straight line, it leaves the 

 swiftest Horse far behind ; 

 and can maintain its speed 

 for several hours. Hence 



it can only be captured by a number of horsemen, taking different 

 sides of the plain, or by darting across the path of the bird. 

 When driven to extremities, it will occasionally turn with fury 

 on its pursuers, and will inflict dreadful wounds with its claw. 

 The Ostrich has been domesticated, and behaves in this state with 

 much gentleness to those with whom it is familiar, though fierce 

 and violent towards strangers. It will permit itself to be 

 mounted, even by two full-grown men, and carries them with 

 great ease. Its food consists of the tops of shrubby plants, 

 seeds, and grain ; but it will swallow many other substances with 

 indiscriminating voracity, such as stones, sticks, pieces of 

 metal, cord, leather, &c. It is probably guided by the same 

 instinct in swallowing hard substances, that leads the Fowl to 

 swallow gravel ; for they are probably of use in assisting the 

 action of the gizzard in the reduction of the food. The curious 

 habits of this Bird in regard to the incubation of its eggs will 

 be hereafter detailed. The Rhea> or American Ostrich, is a 

 smaller Bird, more completely feathered on the head and neck ; 



