BIRDS, 
469 
The Guinea-fowl, or Numida meleagris, is ori- 
ginally a native of Africa, and may be considered 
as corresponding with the genera phasiamis and 
gallus (common fowl) of Asia, and the meleagris 
(turkey) and penelope of America. The com- 
mon ostrich struthio camelus J, one of the largest 
and most remarkable of the feathered tribe, and 
which has been celebrated from the most remote 
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 Illiger : — 
