290 
EXTRAORDINARY DIGESTIVE POWERS 
supposed him to be the offspring of a bird and a camel. He certainly 
presents some points of similitude to the latter. In both, the structure 
of the feet and stomach is very similar; both endure thirst with remark- 
able patience; both subsist on a scanty and stunted vegetation; both 
are furnished with " callous protuberances " on the chest and on the 
abdomen, on which they support themselves when at rest; and both 
lie down in the same manner. It is a curious fact that the ostrich is 
never known to associate with other birds, though he will keep com- 
pany with the gnu, the springbok, the zebra, and quadrupeds of an 
inoffensive character. His points of affinity to the mammal are, — 
cloven hoofs and strong-jointed legs, a long muscular neck, a gruff 
voice, and the absence of that " elevated central ridge of the breast- 
bone " which is generally a striking feature in the bird's anatomy. 
We might fill pages with anecdotes of the extraordinary digestive 
powers of the ostrich, — powers which are the envy, doubtless, of many 
a pale-faced dyspeptic invalid. In his wild state, he feeds upon the 
pods and seeds of different kinds of leguminous plants, and the leaves 
of various shrubs. As these are often hard and dry, he assists their 
digestion by swallowing a considerable quantity of pebbles, making no 
objection if they are as large as marbles. To small bulbs he is partial, 
and to a wild melon for the sake of its juice. In confinement, he 
appears possessed of, or consumed by, an indiscriminate appetite, — 
gulping down stones, knives, spoons, pieces of wood and iron, and 
various other equally indigestible articles. This seeming obtusencss of 
taste and strange propensity, says Andersson, obtained for the bird, at 
an early period, the epithet of " the iron-eating ostrich." 
" The estridge that will eate 
An horshowe so great 
In the steade of meate, 
Such fervent heat 
His stomach doth freat." 
So says Skelton in his "Boke of Philip Sparrow." A story is told that, 
when the ostrich was stiU a rare bird in Europe, a woman, hearing of 
the arrival of a distinguished stranger, and feeling naturally curious 
to make his acquaintance, hastily shut up her house, taking the door- 
