Order  VI.  STRUTHIONES  Lath: 
embraces  a  series  of  birds,  which  are  mostly  of  large  size,  with  the  Wings  much  abbreviated,  and 
generally  incapable  of  affording  the  means  of  flight. 
The  first  Family, 
STRUTHIONID^E,  or  Ostriches, 
have  the  Bill  of  various  forms ;  the  Wings  very  short,  or  imperfect ;  and  the  Toes  short,  broad,  unequal, 
and  varying  from  two  to  four  in  number. 
The  first  Subfamily, 
STRUTHIONIN7E,  or  Ostriches, 
have  the  Bill  broad,  depressed,  and  rounded  in  front  ;  the  Too  two  or  three  in  number,  and  all  placed 
anteriorly. 
Struthio  Linn.\ 
Bill  broad  and  depressed,  with  the  culmen  flattened,  and  the  tip  strong,  rounded,  and  overlapping 
that  of  the  under  mandible  ;  the  nostrils  placed  in  a  broad  membranous  groove,  near  the  middle  of  the 
bill,  and  the  opening  oval.  Wings  short,  imperfect,  and  furnished  with  long,  bending,  and  soft 
plumes.  Tail  moderate,  and  composed  of  curved  pendent  feathers.  Tarsi  very  long,  robust,  and 
covered  with  hexagonal  scales,  except  in  the  front  near  the  toes,  where  the  scales  are  transverse. 
Toes  short  and  robust,  the  outer  short  and  much  padded,  the  inner  one  not  apparent  ;  the  claws  short, 
broad,  and  flattened. 
This  type,  the  largest  of  all  known  birds,  inhabits  the  open  plains  of  Africa,  where  it  is  sometimes  observed  in  large 
flocks,  especially  if  the  herbage  and  vegetation  are  abundant  and  fresh,  as  these  form  their  chief  food.  The  great 
height  of  this  bird  enables  it  to  perceive  at  a  considerable  distance,  over  the  tall  herbage,  all  objects  that  may  be 
approaching  it.    When  alarmed,  it  usually  escapes  with  a  stately  gait,  and  is  soon  out  of  sight,  though  its  pace  appears 
*  Cursores  of  Lacepede,  and  Brevipennes  of  Cuvier. 
t  Established  by  Linnanis  in  173.5  {Systema  Nature). 
