452 MANUAL OF ZOOLOGY. 



Rhea, Emeu, and Cassowary, with several extinct forms ; the 

 latter comprising only the Apteryx of New Zealand, and char- 

 acterised by the possession of a rudimentary hallux. 



The African Ostrich (Struthio camelus] occurs in the desert 

 plains of Africa and Arabia, and is the largest of all living 

 birds, attaining a height of from six to eight feet. The head 

 and neck are nearly naked, and the quill-feathers of the wings 

 and tail have their barbs wholly disconnected, constituting the 

 ostrich-plumes of commerce. The legs are extremely strong, 

 and are terminated by two toes only (fig. 175, A), these con- 

 sisting respectively of four and five phalanges, showing that it 

 is the hallux and the innermost toe which are wanting. The 

 Ostriches run with extraordinary speed, and can outstrip the 

 fastest horse. They are polygamous, each male consorting 

 with several 'females, and they generally keep together in larger 

 or smaller flocks. The eggs are of great size, averaging three 

 pounds each in weight, and the hens lay their eggs in the same 

 nest, this being nothing more than a hole scratched in the 

 sand. The eggs appear to be hatched mainly by the exertions 

 of both parents, relieving each other in the task of incubation, 

 but also partly by the heat of the sun. 



The American Ostriches or Rheas are much smaller than 

 the African Ostrich, and have the head feathered, whilst the 

 feet are furnished with three toes each. They inhabit the 

 great plains of South America, and are polygamous. 



The Emeu (Dromaius Nova-Hollandice) is exclusively found 

 in the Australian continent, and nearly equals the African 

 Ostrich in size, attaining a height of from five to seven feet. 

 The feet are furnished with three toes each, and the head is 

 feathered. The throat, however, is naked, and the general 

 plumage resembles long hairs, the feathers hanging down on 

 both sides of the body from & central line or parting which 

 runs down the middle of the back. The Emeus are mono- 

 gamous, and the eggs are dark green in colour. 



The last of the Struthionida is the Cassowary (Casuarius 

 galeattts), which inhabits the Moluccan Islands and New 

 Guinea, and was first brought alive to Europe by the Dutch. 

 It stands about five feet in height, and possesses a singular 

 horny crest upon its head. The head and neck are naked, 

 and the feet have three toes each. The general plumage is 

 black, and the feathers more or less closely resemble hairs. 



The second family of the Cursorial birds is that of the 

 Apterygidce, comprising only the singular Apteryx of New 

 Zealand. The beak in the Apteryx is long, slender, and 

 slightly curved, the tip being obtuse, and the nostrils placed 



