j.i . vi. an 



genera > < in to be of an ambiguous 



caM, and may with almost c-<|iuil propriety be 

 placed in either order. The t'enus Strutlno or 

 O.Mrieh i> eminently . nous among bird>; 



containing by far tin- lariat of tin- leathered 

 tribe. Thf generic character.-. CODM^I in a some- 

 what conical, and slightly ilaltencd Ijill ; wings 

 tor flight, and feet forme il for running, 



iuf destitute of the hind or back toe. The 

 Common O>trich, of which at least the general 

 appearance and common history must be known 

 to almost every one, is a native of the hottest 

 parts of Africa j the hody of the male is black, 

 of *the female brown ; the wings and tail in both 

 are white; the neck nearly bare, and of a flesh 

 colour: the legs excessively. strong, and the feet 

 have only two toes, a particularity not to be found 

 in any other bird. 



The Ostrich is supposed to feed principally 

 on vegetable substances : it has been accused, 

 from the earliest times, of a proverbial neglect 

 of its eggs, which it is supposed to lea\e in 

 the sand without paying any regard to tlu-ir 

 curity. Dr. Sparrman however is inclined to 



