4&6 NATURAL HISTORY OF AFRICA. 
bably, like some other animals, become extinct, from 
some causes with which we are unacquainted. 
The Guinea-fowl, or Numida meleagris, is ori- 
ginally a native of Africa, and maybe consider- 
ed as corresponding with the genera phasianus 
and gallus (common fowl) of Asia, and the me- 
leagris (turkey) and penelope of America. The 
common ostrich (struthio camel us), one of the 
largest and most remarkable of the feathered tribe, 
and which has been celebrated from the most re* 
mote historic antiquity, is peculiar to Africa, and 
some districts in Asia. It abounds in the sandy 
deserts, and attains the height of from six to eight 
feet. It runs swifter than any other animal. They 
live in large troops, and lay eggs three pounds 
weight, which are hatched solely by the heat of the 
sun in the warmest regions of Africa ; but in less 
heated regions, the bird occasionally sits upon 
them. 
In Africa, as is generally the case in warm cli- 
mates, the insectiverous and frugiverous birds are 
the most frequent, because insects and fruits are 
very abundant. And it may be remarked, that 
the parrot tribe, which is so numerous in the other 
southern regions of the globe, is comparatively rare 
in Africa. 
The following is a general view of the genera and 
species found in Africa, arranged according to 
the method of llliger : — 
