The South African Ostrich, (_Struthio australis_), differs from the species found in the north. The color of the naked skin of its neck and thighs, and the front scales on its metatarsus, is distinctly bluish, and dark. This is the species of the southern half of Africa, now so successfully farmed in Cape Colony for its feathers that the annual crop is said to yield about $5,000,000. And it is this species which is kept on the ostrich farms of California and Arizona. [Illustration: RHEA.] [Illustration: CASSOWARY.] The North African, or Sudan Ostrich, (_S. camelus_), is the species first and longest known. Its neck, thighs and front metatarsal scales are of a decided pink color. Originally the range of this species extended from north Africa well into southwestern Asia, embracing Arabia, Syria and Mesopotamia. Generally speaking, the African Ostriches originally covered all the open, sandy plains of Africa; but they never inhabited the regions of dense forests. To-day their total inhabited range is small, and rapidly becoming more so. It is highly probable that within the life period of many persons now living, wild Ostriches will totally disappear from the earth. The Common Rhea, or South American Ostrich, (_Rhea americana_), represents a group of ostriches much smaller than those of Africa, and found only on the open plans of Argentina and Patagonia, below the great equatorial forest belt. There are three species in the group. In general terms it may be stated that an adult Rhea is about two-thirds the size of an adult African ostrich. It is with great difficulty that these birds are reared to maturity in the United States. [Illustration: EMEUS.] The Common Emeu, (_Dromacus novae-hollandiae_), of Australia, is the neighbor of the kangaroo and wallaby, and in form is as odd as are the majority of the birds and mammals of that continent of strange creatures. Its body suggests a pile of gray-brown hay elevated on stilts, to one end of which a hay-covered neck and head have been attached. The bird-lover should make much of this creature, for in its home country it has been almost exterminated. Fortunately, in climates reasonably well suited to it—but not in or near New York—it is possible to breed this bird in captivity. In size the Emeu is next to the African ostrich. The Ceram Cassowary, (_Casuarius casuarius_), of the Island of Ceram, Malay Archipelago, represents a group which contains a number of well-defined species which are scattered through the northern cape of Australia, New Guinea, the Aru Islands, Ceram, and other islands of Malayana east of Celebes. They are all distinguished by their glossy purple or black body plumage—which looks far more like coarse hair than like feathers—their huge legs, and their helmeted heads. The differences between species are based chiefly upon the bright orange red and purple colors of their upper necks and wattles.