. Cuvier's animal kingdom : arranged according to its organization. Animals. G RALLIE. 233. and gizzard, voluminous intestines, and long cœca, also a vast receptacle in which the urine accumu- lates, as in a bladder ; they are accordingly the only birds that urinate. The penis is very long, and often protruded. But two species are known, eacli of which might form a separate genus, [and they are now generally recognized as such, an additional species having been discovered of one of them.] The Ostrich of the Eastern Continent (Str. camelus, Lin.).—Only two toes to each foot, the outer of which,
. Cuvier's animal kingdom : arranged according to its organization. Animals. G RALLIE. 233. and gizzard, voluminous intestines, and long cœca, also a vast receptacle in which the urine accumu- lates, as in a bladder ; they are accordingly the only birds that urinate. The penis is very long, and often protruded. But two species are known, eacli of which might form a separate genus, [and they are now generally recognized as such, an additional species having been discovered of one of them.] The Ostrich of the Eastern Continent (Str. camelus, Lin.).—Only two toes to each foot, the outer of which, shorter by one-half than the other, is destitute of a nail. This bird, celebrated from the most remote antiquity, and very numerous in the sandy deserts of Arabia and the whole of Africa, attains the height of six feet and a half. It lives in large flocks, lays eggs which weigh nearly three pounds each, and which, in very hot climates, it leaves to be hatched by the solar heat, but, in extra-tropical regions, carefully incubates and de- fends them \Tith courage. It subsists on grain and herbage, and its taste is so obtuse, that it swallows indifferently pebbles, pieces of iron, copper, &c. [its gizzard always containing a surprising quantity of small stones, which are doubtless taken for the purpose of assist- ing in the trituration of the food.] When pursued, it dashes stones behind it with great force. No animal can overtake it in the chace. The Nandou (Str. rhea, Lin. [Rhea americana, Auctorum]), or Ostrich of America, is about half the size of the African Ostrich, and Fiir. 113.—Foot of Ostrich. more thinly covered with feathers: it is also distinguished by pos- sessing three toes to each foot, all of which are furnished with claws. Its plumage is greyish, inclining to brown above, with a black line descending along the neck of the male. Is not less abundant in South America than the other is in Africa. It is easily tamed when taken young, and its flesh during you
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