THE OSTRICH. 
As in some measure connecting the class of 
quadrupeds with that of the feathered race, the 
Ostrich is, perhaps, the bird which is entitled 
to claim our attention first. In external ap- 
pearance it bears some resemblance to the 
camel ; its internal conformation allies it to 
quadrupeds ; it grazes with animals ; and its 
plumage gives the idea rather of hair than of 
feathers. 
The Ostrich is generally seven — some- 
times nine feet high, from the top of the head 
to the ground, — but from the back it is only 
four; so that the head and neck are above 
three feet long. From the top of the head to 
the rump, when the neck is stretched out in a 
right line, the length is six feet, and that of the 
tail about a foot more. One of the wings, when 
stretched out, is about three feet ; and at the 
end of each wing there is a kind of spur, 
( 13 ) 
