THE OSTRICH. 



As in some measure connecting the class of 

 quadrupeds with that of the feathered race, the 

 Ostrich is, perhaps, the bird which is entitled 

 to claim our attention first. In external ap- 

 pearance it bears some resemblance to the 

 camel; its internal conformation allies it to 

 quadrupeds ; it grazes with animals ; and its 

 plumage gives the idea rather of hair than of 

 feathers. 



The Ostrich is generally seven some- 

 times nine feet high, from the top of the head 

 to the ground, but from the back it is only 

 four; so that the head and neck are above 

 three feet long. From the top of the head to 

 the rump, when the neck is stretched out in a 

 right line, the length is six feet, and that of the 

 tail about a foot more. One of the wings, when 

 stretched out, is about three feet ; and at the 

 end of each wing there is a kind of spur, 



(13) 



