OSTRICH 



The voices of all the Ostrich-like birds are rather 

 singular, consisting of a deep booming note uttered 

 with the mouth apparently closed, and seeming to 

 come from the chest. 



The African Ostrich is the giant among living 

 birds, the male standing some eight feet high, and 

 exceeding the female in size, wherein he differs from 

 the other Ostrich-like birds so far described. The 

 African Ostrich is also unlike all his relatives in that 

 he is conspicuously different from his mate in coloura- 

 tion, having the body clothed in a livery of glossy 

 black, relieved by the pure white of the wing- and tail- 

 feathers, which are the plumes so highly prized for 

 millinery purposes. The head and neck are almost 

 bare of feathers, while the massive legs are absolutely 

 naked. The plumage of the female is of a sober 

 brown hue. In the possession of a tail the African 

 Ostrich is also peculiar among his tribe. As in the 

 Rhea, the wings are of relatively large size, and, 

 though useless for flight, they are of much assistance 

 when running, being made to serve as sails. 



The Ostrich stands alone among birds in the struc- 

 ture of the foot, which has the toes reduced to two in 

 number ; and of these one is so small as to play but a 

 slight part in supporting the body. It runs with 

 great swiftness, and is able to kick with terrible effect. 



Like the Emu, the Ostrich has very long eyelashes, 

 a singular character and one not often found in birds. 

 The eyes are extremely large and bright, but stupid 

 in expression, and indeed the bird is of a low order of 

 intelligence. The Ostrich's habit of swallowing all 

 sorts of indigestible substances is well known, and in 



