AVES. 377 
sive organization for walking. About thirty birds are included in this 
family. 
Sub-fam. 1. Struthionine, or Ostriches. Bill broad, flattened, somewhat 
rounded ; wings and tail very short; tarsi very long and robust ; toes two 
or three in number, and all directed forwards. Size large. 
The ostrich, Struthio camelus (pl. 94, fig. 1), which is the largest of all 
birds now known to be living, is arranged here. It inhabits the open plains 
of Africa, where it is sometimes observed in large flocks, especially when 
the herbage is abundant, as that forms its chief food. When alarmed, it 
runs with great rapidity, with the assistance of its wings. The nest is a 
slight hollow scratched in the sand, and, it is said, is generally occupied by 
two females, both of which iay their eggs, and with the males attend 
mutually to the young. 
The South American ostriches, of which there are two species, Rhea 
americana and darwinit, are frequent on the plains of Patagonia and the 
other more southerly countries of South America. They are much smaller 
than the ostrich of Africa, but bear considerable resemblance in general 
appearance and manners. 
The emu of Australia (Dromaius nove hollandie) and the cassowary of 
New Guinea, Casuarius galeatus (pl. 95, fig. 1), complete the birds of this 
group. They are both large birds, almost destitute of wings, but are said 
to run with great rapidity. They feed exclusively on vegetables. 
Sub-fam. 2. Apterygine, or Kivis. Bill Jong and slender; wings and 
tail very short, almost obsolete; tarsi and feet short and robust; entire 
plumage hair-like. 
Two very curious birds found in New Zealand belong here. They 
frequent the extensive and dense beds of ferns which occur in that country, 
and feed on snails and insects. The plumage of these birds is very singular 
and peculiar, being composed of long feathers more resembling the hair 
of some quadrupeds than the covering of birds. The common kivi, Apteryx 
australis, and Owen’s apteryx, A. owenii, are the known species. 
Sub-fam. 3. Otine, or Bustards. Bill rather long, straight ; wings and 
tail moderate ; tarsi long, robust ; toes short. Size various, rather large. 
The bustards are found in the sandy or grassy plains and the open culti- 
vated lands of various countries of the old continent. They are shy and 
watchful, and when alarmed, fly with considerable swiftness for a short 
distance, then running off. They feed on seeds and other parts of vege- 
tables, and are said to be very destructive to crops of wheat and other 
grain in some parts of Asia and Africa. The great bustard, Otis tarda 
(pl. 94, fig. 2), was formerly frequently seen throughout Europe, but has 
now become rare. It is the largest known species, and was a favorite bird 
with sportsmen, as are many species of other countries. The smaller bustard, 
O. tetrax (pl. 94, fig. 3), is found occasionally in the south of Europe, but 
principally in northern Africa. There are about twenty species of these 
birds, nearly all of which inhabit northern Africa and Asia. 
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