OSTRICH (OF. °struck., austruchc, Fr. au truche, Sp. arestruz. from Lat. ens struthio, ostrich bird, from axis, bird, and struthio, from Gk. arpovelcup, stroulltion, ostrich. strouth iokamf7los, ostrich, camel-sparrow, so called from the long neck of the bird, from strouthos, bird, sparrow). The ostrich is the largest of living birds, long renowned for its beautiful plumes and its remarkable speed. Whether all ostriches belong to the same species is still an open question, for although four have been described, the differences suggested are very slight and may prove inconstant. There is, however, only a single genus, Struthio, and a single family, the StruthionidH. The rela tionship of this family to the rheas, emeus, cas sowaries, etc. (qq.v.), is still undecided, but all are members of the order llatitre, distinguished from all other living birds by the absence of any `keel' on the breastbone. (See RATIT.E.) Os triches are natives of Africa and some parts at least of Southwestern Asia. The common ostrich or eamelus) is found on the dry open plains and deserts of Northern and Central Africa (except Egypt), while the os triches of Southern Africa. Somaliland, and Asia have been described as distinct species. Fossil remains of the ostrich have been found in Hidia.
The male is somewhat larger than the female, measures seven feet. more or less, in height, and weighs upward of 200 pounds. His plumage is strikingly loose, fluffy, and deep black in color; only the 'plumes' (quill feathers) of the wings and tail are white. The female is much less handsome (dull brownish gray), while the very young chicks are yellowish, marked with longi tudinal streaks of blackish. The young male assumes his mature plumage in about three years. In the adult of both sexes the head and most of the neck are nearly bare, only a sparse down covering the skin. The feet and legs also are bare far up on the tibiLe. The bill is of moderate length, broad, flattened, and rounded at the tip, and with the nostrils opening considerably in front of the base. The ostrich is unique in several anatomical peculiarities; there are only two toes the third and fourth), the outer of which is much smaller and has no claw; there is a small external tail: and the pubic bones unite in a ventral symphysis. The wings bear three digits,
but are so small as to be useless for flight, though they assist greatly in running. The legs, however, are big and powerful, and able to deliver a kick almost equal to that of a horse. The alimentary canal has a very muscular giz zard, as well as a large crop. There is no gall bladder. The food of the ostrich is chiefly vegetable, though small mammals, reptiles, and insects are sometimes taken. Water can be spared from the diet for long periods of time, if melons or other juicy fruits are available. Coarse gravel and small stones are swallowed to assist in the grinding work of the gizzard. In spite of an imperfect syrinx, the ostrich has a loud voice, said to resemble the roar of the lion, though its most common sound is an angry his, The ostrich is polygamous, one male consorting with from two to seven females. He scoops out a hollow in the sand in which his companions lay their eggs. earl; female laying about ten. The eggs are not left to the heat of the sand and sun, as is often stated. but are incubated during the greater part of the day by one of the females, and at night by the male. When the eggs are left during the heat of the day, they are covered up with sand. The eggs are large and thick-shelled, of a creamy-yellow shade, with numerous small .pits in the otherwise very smooth surface. Each egg is about six inches long and weighs nearly three pounds, while its cubic contents approximates that of two dozen hen's eggs. The bird is extraordinarily keen sighted. and on its native plains is extremely wary. Hunting the ostrich has been a popular sport with the Arabs from time immemorial. They rely on the speed of their horses and run the birds down, a feat which would be impossible were it not for the curious fact that the ostrich runs in more or less of a circle. and the horsemen are thus able to continue the pursuit while traveling only a fraction of the distance that the bird runs. At full speed the ostrich is said to make sixty miles an hour, and for a limited time it can completely distance the fleetest horse.