KIWI r 



down feathers, which are transformed into little, horny 

 curls, resembling dark, narrow shavings. 



Ostriches are now raised on farms in various parts 

 of the world. The largest of these farms are in South 

 Africa, but in recent years some have been started in 

 Arizona and California, where the birds thrive well. 

 The feathers are clipped regularly at certain seasons 

 of the year, the birds, which are blindfolded, suffering 

 no injury in the process and offering no resistance. 



Of the Apteryx, or Kiwi, of New Zealand, there 

 are several species, that figured being known as Man- 

 tell's Apteryx. All agree in being soberly coloured, 

 some having a freckled or mottled appearance like 

 that of Plymouth Rock Fowls. The legs are short 

 and stout, and the bird is able to run with great swift- 

 ness, depending, indeed, upon its speed for safety, 

 since it is flightless. It can also deliver a strong blow 

 with its feet, like other members of its tribe. The 

 Apteryx is the smallest of the Old World Ostrich- 

 like birds, not exceeding a large Domestic Fowl in 

 size, and the female is said to be somewhat larger than 

 the male. See Plate 28, Fig. 160. 



Nocturnal in habits, the eyes of the Apteryx are 

 exceedingly small; but deficient sight is amply com- 

 pensated by a wonderfully developed sense of smell, 

 in which it is believed to excel all other birds. Be- 

 sides this, the region of the face in front of the eyes 

 is provided with long hair-like feathers, which, like 

 the "whiskers" of the cat, probably serve the purpose 

 of feelers. This bird is also remarkable for the fact 

 that its nostrils are placed at the extreme tip of its 



