Order 71 STRUTHIONES. Latham. 



THE Fourth Order, STRUTHIONES, embraces a series of 

 Birds which, are mostly of large size, with the wings much 

 abbreviated, and generally incapable of affording the means 

 of flight. 



The First-Family, STRUTHIONIDJE, or 

 Ostriches, 



have the bill of various forms ; the wings very short or 

 imperfect, and the toes short, broad, and unequal, varying 

 from two to four in number. 



The Sub -Family, STRUTHIONIN^E, or 

 Ostriches, 



have the bill broad, depressed, and rounded in front ; the 

 toes two or three in number, and all placed anteriorly. 



Genus STRUTHIO, Linnus. 



Bill broad and depressed, with the culmen flattened, and 

 the tip strong, rounded, and overlapping that of the under 

 mandible ; the nostrils placed in a broad membranous groove, 

 near the middle of the bill, and the opening oval ; wings 

 short, imperfect, and furnished with long, bending, soft 

 plumes ; tail moderate, and composed of curved, pendant 

 feathers ; tarsi very long, robust, and covered with hex- 

 agonal scales, except in front, near the toes, where the 

 scales are transverse ; toes short and robust ; the outer short 

 and much padded ; the inner one not apparent ; the claws 

 short, broad, and flattened. 



