Species 10.—Struthio camelus.
- Struthio camelus. Linn. I. 265.
- L’Autruche. Pl. Enl. 457. ♀
- The Black Ostrich. Brown’s Illust. of Zool. pl. 16.
Major Denham succeeded in bringing alive to this country four of these noble birds, which are at present in His Majesty’s menagerie at Windsor.
| Genus. | Otis. | Linn. |
Species 11.—Otis Denhami.
O. fusco-brunneo et pallido-fulvo undulatim punctulata, capite brunnescenti-nigro, superciliis genis gulâque albidis, collo rufo, pectore cinereo; pteromatibus remigibus rectricibusque nigris, istis albo-maculatis, his albo-fasciatis; corpore subtus rufescenti-albo.
Capitis pileus parsque superior nuchæ brunnescenti-nigri. Regionis auricularis plumæ elongatæ, decompositæ, cinerascenti-albæ. Colli inferioris plumæ frontales elongatæ. Dorsi, uropygii, scapularium, ptilorumque plumæ fusco-brunneæ, pallido-fusco undulatim punctulatæ. Pteromata nigra maculis albis grandibus irregulariter notata. Tectrices inferiores albæ ad marginem alarum fusco-variegatæ. Rectrices nigræ; duæ exteriores pogonio interno fasciis duabus albis, externo tribus, notatæ; cæteræ tribus fasciis ejusdem coloris utrinque notatæ, fasciâ sub-apicali nigro sparsâ: duæ mediæ ad apicem fusco-brunneæ, pallido-fusco undulatim punctulatæ. Irides flavæ. Rostrum corneum. Pedes nigri. Longitudo corporis, 3 ped. 9 unc.; caudæ, 1 pes, 4 unc.; rostri, ad frontem, 3¾ unc., ad rictum, 4½ unc.; tarsi, 7 unc.; digiti medii, ungue incluso, 2¾ unc.; exterioris, 1⁷⁄₀ unc.
- African Bustard? Lath. Gen. Hist. Vol. VIII. p. 361.
We have hitherto seen no description that exactly accords with the bird before us. The African Bustard described by Dr. Latham, in the second edition of his “Synopsis,” lately published under the title of “A General History of Birds,” appears to be the most allied to it. But the head of that bird is described as being bare; and such a marked difference prevents us from referring our bird to that species, with which it generally agrees in other points, without some note of doubt. Our specimen is unfortunately very defective: in the quill feathers, and fore parts of the neck, more particularly. These latter are described by Major Denham as singularly beautiful, being elongated and swelling out into a kind of ruff. We are happy to have the opportunity of distinguishing this bird by the name of the enterprising traveller to whose zeal we are indebted for the species itself, and many other valuable acquisitions to science.
This species was met with, in the rainy season, near the larger towns, but not in any great abundance. It frequented moist places, where the herbage was pure and fresh. In such places it was taken in snares by the natives, who used it for food. It was almost invariably met with singly, Major Denham never having observed a pair together more than once. It is singular, also, that it was always found in company with Gazelles whenever a Bustard was observed, it was certain that the Gazelles were not far distant. Major Denham describes the eye of this bird as large and brilliant. In like manner as is recorded of the Gazelle, with which this bird seems to have so close a sympathy, the Arabs are accustomed to compare the eyes of their most beautiful women to those of the Oubara[86].