THE 



AMERICAN OSTRICH, 



Generic Character. 



Bill depreffed, rounded at the end. 

 Wings ufelefs for flight. 

 l^egs naked above the knee. 



Specific Character, 

 PSTRICII with three-toed feet. 



The Struthio Rhea, or American Oftrich, one of 

 the rareft of exotic birds, and which appears to have 

 been hitherto almoft unknown in Europe, and fcarce 

 ever feen by any European naturalift, and which molt 

 certainly has never before been figured; is here faith- 

 fully repreferited from a very fine fpecimen lately fent 

 from America to the Leverian Mufeum. In its habit, 

 or general appearance, this bird at firft fight bears a 

 near refemblance to the common or African Oftrich ; 

 but the wings, though ufelefs for flight; are compofed 

 of feathers which greatly exceed thofe of the common 

 oftrich : they are alfo loofer, and more divaricated or 

 K k 2 fpread 



