Animal life in the sea and on the land . Africa and Ara-bia, and they are the largest of all birds living at thepresent time. They often measure eight feet in long, stout legs are covered with scales, and theyhave but two toes, one of which is much longer than theother, and is armed with a strong claw. The claw some-times inflicts severe wounds, for the ostrich fights by kick-ing, and this it does so violently that it can defend itselfagainst large and fierce animals. It also runs with greatspeed, and few animals can overtake it. 3. The deep, rumbling voice of the ostrich is so mu
Animal life in the sea and on the land . Africa and Ara-bia, and they are the largest of all birds living at thepresent time. They often measure eight feet in long, stout legs are covered with scales, and theyhave but two toes, one of which is much longer than theother, and is armed with a strong claw. The claw some-times inflicts severe wounds, for the ostrich fights by kick-ing, and this it does so violently that it can defend itselfagainst large and fierce animals. It also runs with greatspeed, and few animals can overtake it. 3. The deep, rumbling voice of the ostrich is so muchlike the roar of a lion that travellers have often mistakenits harsh tones for that dreaded sound. Lions, however, 278 ANIMAL LIFE IN THE SEA AND ON THE LAND. roam abroad only at night, and this fact aids persons whoare familiar with the habits of these two animals in dis-tinguishing one voice from the other. When hiding fromenemies, an ostrich is content with poking its head out ofsight; this stupid habit often leads to its Fi<r. 185.—The Ostrich. 4. The Plumage of Ostriches.—Judging merely from theelegant ostrich plumes which are offered for sale, personswho have not seen these birds might naturally supposethat they are covered with beautiful feathers; but, on thecontrary, their plumage is very thin and scanty. Theirheads and necks are almost bare, and it is only the quillfeathers of the tail and short wings that supply the ostrichfeathers of commerce. You will find, upon examiningthese feathers, that the barbules do not hook into eachother after the usual manner, but each one is quite free RUNNING-BIRDS. 279 from its neighbors, thus flying apart loosely, and givingto the plume a peculiar softness and beauty. 5. The Nest and Eggs.—As to the habits of ostriches intheir native homes, the birds go together in flocks consist-ing of one male and six or seven females. The latter maketheir nests by scratching a hole in the sand, and each onelays from ten to fift
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1887
