SHORT-WINGED CURSORIAL BIRDS. Z2>^ 



SHORT-WINGED CURSORIAL BIRDS {Brevipennes). 



This order comprises a number of remarkable birds, conspicuous among which are the Ostriches, with 

 wings so strangely disproportionate to the size of their bodies as to have given rise to many strange 

 fables amongst the Eastern nations concerning their origin. In North-eastern Asia the legend runs that 

 these huge birds, inflated with pride at their superior size and strength, looked down upon their 

 feathered companions with contempt, and, desirous of exhibiting their powers of flight, upon one 

 occasion made a vain attempt to reach the sun. Phcebus, angry at such presumption, punished their 

 temerity by singeing off their wings, and thus causing them to fall heavily to earth. In so doing they 

 struck their breasts violently upon the ground, and received a mark that, together with the shortness of 

 their pinions, has been reproduced through all successive generations, as a terrible warning against 

 vainglorious aspirations. 



Another and more ancient fable represents the Ostrich as the offspring of the camel and some 

 strange feathered occupant of the desert. 



The members of tliis order are birds of great size, with rather short, blunt beaks, in which the 

 orifices of the nostrils are placed at a short distance behind the tip. In one family, however, the bill 

 is comparatively long and slender. The head is moderately large, the neck very long, and the body 

 exceedingly powerful ; the wings are extraordinarily short, while the legs, on die contrary, are long and 

 muscular ; the large strong foot is furnished with two, three, or four toes. The feathers and quills 

 of the tail are undeveloped, and the rest of the plumage is so lax as to have somewhat the appearance 

 of hair. The sight and hearing of the BREVIPENNES is excellent, but their senses of taste and 

 feeling very deficient. All are shy and cautious in their habits, but on the approach of danger they 

 exhibit but little sagacity in their wild attempts at flight. Amongst themselves they live at peace, 

 except during the period of incubation, and when in captivity show themselves to be almost incapable 

 of attachment. 



Africa produces one, America three, and Oceania no fewer than nine species of these birds, 

 whilst in Europe and Asia they are unrepresented. Everywhere they occupy dry, sandy plains or 

 tracts covered with scanty vegetation, and wander over these dreary wastes, either alone or in flocks, 

 in search of the plants and small creatures upon which they subsist. Although not actually voracious 

 in their appetites, no substance, however indigestible, seems to come amiss to them, and a variety of 

 objects are frequently swallowed that their stomachs utterly reject. The incubation of these birds is 

 very remarkable. Some are monogamous, others polygamous ; but in all cases, or at least with few 

 exceptions, the male usually undertakes all the parental duties, and behaves in every respect as a 

 " mother " to the young, whilst the female, after depositing her eggs, exhibits but slight interest in 

 her progeny 



THE OSTRICH. 

 The Ostrich {Struthio camcius) is at once recognisable by its very powerful body, long and 

 partially bare throat, and small flat head. The moderately long, depressed, and straight bill is 

 rounded at its extremity, and has the open longitudinal nostrils prolonged nearly half-way down the 

 beak. The large brilliant eyes are protected by lashes, and \\\i open uncovered ears lined with a 

 hairy growth. The long legs are bare or only overspread with a few bristles on the thighs, while the 

 tarsi are covered with large scales, and tlie feet furnished witli but two toes : the innermost of which. 



