PLATE X. 
STRUTHIO CAMELUS.—THE OSTRICH. 
Volstriys of the Cape Colonists.— Neechey of the Matabili and Bechuana. 
GENERIC CHARACTER.—Largest of all known birds. From seven to nine feet high at the crown of the head, and up- 
wards of eight feet long. Body large and ponderous. Back angularly pitched, like the roof of a house. Wings short, unfit 
for flight, but covered with loose flexible feathers which form elegant bunches, and aid the animal's progress while running. 
Head small and flat. Bill sub-conic, depressed horizontally, of a horn color, and blunted at the end. Nostrils oval; sur- 
rounded by bristles. Eyes large and brilliant; irides hazel; lids fringed with lashes. Greater part of the head and neck 
nearly bald; of a dull flesh color, wrinkled, with a few scattered hairs. Feathers of the body lax, jet black, decomposite; 
the webs on each side the shaft equal. Quill and tail feathers snowy-white, long, waved and downy; the edges here and 
there margined with black. Chest callous, and shaped like a buckler. Thighs and flanks perfectly naked. Legs very elevated 
and robust. Tarsi scaly. Feet strong and heavy; of a grey flesh color. Toes two on each, connected at the base; the inner 
about eight inches long, the outer not more than four. Unarmed. Internally furnished with an enormous crop. 
Female slighter ; of a dirty umber brown complexion; otherwise similar. Gregarious, though often ranging in pairs. Still 
found in many parts of the Cape Colony. Extremely common throughout the interior, resorting chiefly to Karroos and arid 
plains. 
