(_Struthio molybdophanes_)
Ostriches, which are natives of the deserts and semi-desert plains of
Africa and south-western Asia, cannot possibly be mistaken for any
other birds, and therefore stand in no need of description, although it
may be as well to mention that they are the largest of living birds,
and are absolutely peculiar in having only two toes to each foot, as
well as in the absence of feathers on the thigh. It was at one time
considered that the lack of the power of flight, which characterises
these birds in common with their relatives the rheas of South America,
the emu of Australia, the cassowaries of Austro-Malaya and Australasia,
and the tiny kiwis and rheas of New Zealand, was a primitive feature.
But this is manifestly an erroneous idea, and all these groups are
evidently descended from birds endowed with the power of flight,
their nearest relatives being the tinamus of South America and the
game-birds, with which they agree in the presence of longitudinal light
stripes on the downy dress of the chicks.
Naturalists now recognise four kinds of African ostriches, which,
although generally classed as distinct species, might perhaps be
better regarded as local races of a single specific type. These,
regarded as species, comprise the typical red-legged and red-thighed
North African ostrich (_Struthio camelus_), ranging into Palestine
and Arabia, and laying thickly pitted eggs; the Somali ostrich (_S.
molybdophanes_), characterised by its bluish grey neck and thighs; the
Masai ostrich (_S. masaicus_) of East Africa, with the bare parts red,
the body-plumage of the cocks brownish black in place of black, and the
eggs pitted; and, lastly, the South African _S. australis_, which lays
smooth-shelled eggs and has the neck and thighs light bluish grey. In
the Somali ostrich, which inhabits Somaliland and western Gallaland as
far as the Juba River, the colour of the bare parts of the body may
best be described as grey or slaty blue, while the margins of the beak
and the front surfaces of the lower part of the legs are dull vermilion.
Ostriches are essentially gregarious birds, associating either in small
family parties comprising five or six birds, or in large flocks, which
in East Africa mingle freely with herds of hartebeests, gnus, and
bontequaggas. They require a wide extent of open country, with grass
and, above all, water, of which they drink frequently and copiously.
Although ostriches feed chiefly upon vegetable substances, they
likewise consume worms, insects, molluscs, reptiles, and probably also
small birds and mammals, while in captivity they will swallow almost
anything that is offered them, including nails, keys, and copper coins.
In a state of nature they swallow sand, earth, and small stones, in
order to assist the action of their gizzards.
[Illustration]
The cocks appear to be polygamous, although some doubt has been
expressed as to whether this is really the case; and it seems certain
that several hens lay in the same nest, where as many as thirty eggs
may be laid in a slight hollow in the sand. Incubation is undertaken
by the cock alone, and it is he who looks after the chicks, which he
tends with remarkable care. The chicks when they escape from the eggs
(each of which weighs as much as twenty-four hens’ eggs) are as large
as hens; and, with their bristly feather-quills, are rather suggestive
of two-legged hedgehogs.
Ostriches are extremely shy and remarkably swift birds, so that they
are difficult either to stalk or to ride down. When brought to bay, or
when running loose in captivity, they should be approached with great
caution, as a kick from their strongly clawed feet will prove fatal
to an animal of the size of a jackal, if not also to a human being.
The vision of these giant birds is very strongly developed and capable
of sweeping the country to the distance of at least a mile; and their
senses of hearing and smell are also good, although taste appears to be
practically wanting. Occasionally ostriches indulge in a kind of dance;
and they are also subject, when startled, to sudden collapse, which may
have given rise to the old fable of their burying their heads in the
sand and leaving their bodies exposed.
If allowed sufficient space, ostriches thrive remarkably well in
confinement; and ostrich-farming, for the sake of the lovely white
plumes of the cocks, has become an important industry, not only in
Africa, but in many other parts of the world. Ostrich-farming was
commenced in Algeria, and by 1865 had been introduced in Cape Colony,
whence it has spread northwards, while it has also been established in
Egypt, southern Russia, California, Patagonia, and Argentina. The cocks
are clipped regularly every eight months.