First lesson in zoology : adapted for use in schools . s toeach foot, is a smaller bird, standing metres high, run-ning in small herds on the pampas. The two-toed ostrich{StrutJio camelus), of the deserts of Africa and Arabia,now reared for the feathers of its wings and tail, so valua-ble as articles of commerce, is the largest bird now living,being metres (6-8 feet) high. It can outrun a horse,and lives in flocks. It lays about thirty large white eggsin a nest in the sand; they are covered in the daytime bythe hen or left exposed to the sun, while at night the malesits over and guar
First lesson in zoology : adapted for use in schools . s toeach foot, is a smaller bird, standing metres high, run-ning in small herds on the pampas. The two-toed ostrich{StrutJio camelus), of the deserts of Africa and Arabia,now reared for the feathers of its wings and tail, so valua-ble as articles of commerce, is the largest bird now living,being metres (6-8 feet) high. It can outrun a horse,and lives in flocks. It lays about thirty large white eggsin a nest in the sand; they are covered in the daytime bythe hen or left exposed to the sun, while at night the malesits over and guards them. In Cape Colony ostrich-culturehas become an important business; in 1865 there were onlyeighty individuals on the ostrich farms; in 1875 there were THE BIRDS. 215 33,347 ostriches, either free or in parks where Lucernegrass is cultivated as food for these useful birds. Theyare also reared in California. The South American ostrichis in Patagonia hunted for its feathers. Its food consistsof seeds, grass, insects, etc., and the herdsmen say that. i«iyi)rifs-ttos£^siAiia Fig. 222.—South American Ostrich. they also eat snakes. The nest is a mere shallow holescratched in the ground; twenty, thirty, or more eggs arefound together, but it appears that these are not all laid byone bird: several females lay their eggs together, and taketurns in sitting on them. 216 FIRST LESSONS IN ZOOLOGY. Birds with a Keeled Breastbone.—^AU other living birdsare characterized by the keeled breastbone or sternum; thewings, as a rule, being well developed. The lowest of thekeeled birds are penguins and other water-birds, while thehighest are the singing-birds. OBDBBS of CAEIfrATE BlBDS. 1. Wings small and short; diving-Mrds Pygopodes. Penguin. ~^ 2. Wings long, pointed; rapid fliers; anterior toes webbed Longi^ennes. Gull. ~v^ 3. Feet wholly webbed, including the inner toe Stegopodes. Pelican. ^^ 4. Bill lamellate, , both mandibles with teeth-like projections LamdUrostres. Duck. Y 5. Wa
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1894
