224 



ORNAMENTS OF THE VELD 



are very bold in defending their eggs. These may be searched 

 for during, the months of August to October, and do not 

 differ very much from those of the Crowned Lap-wing. 



Fig. 117. — Black- winged Plover and eggs. 



OSTRICH 



The last bird which may be included in this chapter is the 

 well-known and long domesticated Ostrich {Struthio australis). 

 This enormous member of the Avian race is included in the 

 separate sub-class, the Eatitae, possessing no keel to the 

 sternum or breast-bone. The Ostriches form the Family 

 StruthionidsB, of which the African Continent 

 several species. 



