CLASS ATES: OEDEE LIMICOL^. 



145 



The South American Ostrich * is only about half as large 



as the African, but is more completely covered with feathers. 



It has three toes instead of two, and a larger hooked-spur on 



the end of the wings. 



Mg. m. 

 Fig. aa. 



Bhea darwinli, Patagonian Ostrich. 



Apt^ryx austrSlis, Apteryx. 



Aptetygidse. — The Apteryx of New Zealand has stumps 

 of wings and no tail. Its feathers look like fur. For incu- 

 bation it digs deep holes in the ground, into which it flees 

 when pursued — characteristics linking it to the lowest order 

 of mammals. 



ORDER LIMICOL^E.t 



G-eneral Characteristics. — The Plover-snipes have a 

 long slender beak, without hard-cutting edges, and wholly 

 or in great part membranoxis. Their narrow nostrils are 

 placed low down, and entirely surrounded with soft skin. 



Charadriidse. — The Plovers frequent commons and un- 

 sheltered shores, running around in search of insects, slugs. 



* It is also polygamous, the females laying their eggs scattered at random, which 

 the male collects into » nest, and then broods, hatches, and even tends the 

 yonng. 



t The old order GrallatOres (waders) is now classed as three distinct orders, viz : 

 LimicOte, HerodiOnes, and Alectorldes, 



