152 , AVES. 



and Cassowaries excepted, have long wings, and fly well; during 

 which action they extend they legs backwards, differing in this from 

 all others, which fold them under the belly. 



In this order we establish five principal families, and some insu- 

 lated genera. 



FAMILY I. 



BREVIPENNES. 



These birds, although similar in general to the other Grallatoriae, 

 differ from them greatly in one point — the shortness of the wings^ 

 which renders flight impossible. The beak and regimen give thera 

 numerous affinities with the Gallinacese. 



It appears as if all the muscular power which is at the command 

 of nature, would be insufficient to move such immense wings as 

 would be required to support their massive bodies in the air. The 

 sternum is a simple buckler, and is deficient in that ridge which is 

 found in all other birds. The pectoral muscles are thin and delicate, 

 but the posterior extremities regain what the wings have lost — the 

 muscles of the thighs, and of the legs in particular, being enormously 

 thick and stout. 



The thumb is always deficient. They form two genera. 



Stkuthio, Lin. 



The Ostriches have wings furnished with loose and flexible feathers, but still 

 sufficiently long to increase their speed in running. Every one knows the 

 elegance of these slender-stemmed plumes, the barbs of which, although 

 furnished with little hooks, always remain separate, contrary to wliat takes 

 place in most other birds. Their beak is horizontally depressed, of a mod- 

 erate length, and blunt at the end; their tongue short, and rounded Uke a 

 crescent; their eye large, and the lid fringed with lashes; then- legs and tarsi 

 very long. 



But two species are known, each of which might form a separate genus. 



Struthio camelus, L. (The Ostrich of the Eastern Continent.) But two 

 toes, the external of which is one half shorter than its fellow, and has no nail. 

 This bird, so highly celebrated from the earliest ages, abounds in the sandy 

 deserts of Arabia and Africa. It attains the height of six or . eight feet, 

 lives in great troops, lays eggs, each weighing nearly three pounds, which, 

 in very hot climates, it is contented with exposing in the sand to the wai-mth 

 of the sun, but over wlaich, out of the tropics, it broods with great care, 

 defending them courageously every where. The Ostrich feeds on grass, 



