AVES— OSTRICH. 



611 



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. Some reach the height 

 of nine feet. From the top of the head to the rump, when the neck is 

 stretched out in a right line, it is six feet long, and the tail is about a foot 

 more. One of the wings, without the feathers, is afoot and a half; and 

 being stretched out, with the feathers, is three feet. 



The plumage is much alike in all ; that is, generally black and white ; 

 though some of them are said to be gray. The greatest feathers are at the 

 extremities of the wings and tail, and the largest are generally white. The 

 next row is black and white ; and of the small feathers on the back and 

 belly, some are while and others black. There are no feathers on the sides, 

 nor yet on the thighs, nor under the wings. The lower part of the neck, 

 about half way, is covered with still smaller feathers than those on the belly 



