90 DIVISION I. VERTEBRAL ANIMALS.—CLASS II. AVES. 
ORDER BREVIPENNES. SHORT-WINGED BIRDS. 
Tus order (the Cursores of authors) is composed of but two families — 
Struthionide, the Ostriches, and Apterygide, the Kivis. In the first 
family there are but five species, the most important of which are the Af- 
rican Ostrich (Struthio camelus), the South American Ostrich (/thea 
Americana), the Hmeu Dromaius, and the Cassowary (Casuarius emeu). 
Of the first-named bird, Gray says, — 
“This, the largest of all known birds, inhabits the open plains of Africa, 
where it is sometimes observed in large flocks, especially if the herbage and 
vegetation are abundant and fresh, as these form their chief food: the great 
height of this bird enables it to perceive at a considerable distance over the 
tall herbage all objects that may be approaching it. When alarmed, it usu- 
ally escapes with a stately gait, and is soon out of sight, though its pace 
appears to be but little more than that of walking; and when hard pressed, 
it runs with great rapidity by the assistance of the wings. The nest is a 
slight hollow scratched in the sand, six feet in diameter, bordered by a shal- 
low ring. In this nest are laid, generally by two females, about twenty 
eges, while in the outer trench are scattered several more. These are eon- 
sidered by the Hottentots as intended for the first food of the young. The 
male bird sits on the eggs, and attends to the feeding and care of the young, 
till they are able to provide for themselves.” ; 
The same author also says of the South American species, the 2. Amer- 
teana and R. Darwinti, — 
“These birds are found on the plains of South America. They are, says 
Mr. Darwin, shy, wary, and solitary, and, although so fleet in their pace, 
they fall a prey without much difficulty. They generally prefer running 
against the wind, yet on the first start they expand their wings to assist them 
in their progress. During the heat of the day they sometimes enter a bed 
of tall rushes, where they squat concealed till quite closely approached. 
These birds will cross rivers, or pass from island to island, by swimming, 
which is performed rather slowly, very little of their bodies appearing above 
the water, and their necks extending a little forwards. They feed on vege- 
table matter, such as roots and grass; but Mr. Darwin has repeatedly seen 
three or four come down at low water to the extensive mud banks, which are 
then dry, for the sake of catching small fish. The nest is a shallow excavation, 
wherein are placed as many as from twenty-two to seventy, or even eighty, 
egos; these are deposited by several females; many eges are, however, 
scattered singly over the plains, and thereby become useless. The male 
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