had been mistaken, when the Foulah suddenly put his hand to his mouth, exclaiming, Soubai an allahi, (God preserve us!) and to my great surprise, I then perceived a large red Lion, at a short distance from the bush, with his head crouched between his fore paws. "I expected he would instantly spring upon me, and instinctively pulled my feet from the stirrups, to throw myself on the ground, that my horse might become the victim rather than myself. But it is probable the Lion was not hungry, for he quietly suffered us to pass, though we were fairly within his reach. My eyes were so rivetted upon this sovereign of beasts, that I found it impossible to emove them until we were at a considerable distance." REMARKABLE BIRDS. THE OSTRICH. The Ostrich is generally considered the largest of birds, but its size deprives it of the power of flying. The head and bill of this bird somewhat resemble those of a duck, and the neck may be compared to that of a swan, though it is much longer. It is usually seven feet high from the top of the head to the ground, but it sometimes reaches to the height of nine feet. One of the wings, stretched out with the feathers, is three feet in extent. The plumage is generally black and white. There are no feathers on the sides, nor on the thighs, nor under the wings. The head and upper part of the neck are covered with hair. At the end of each wing there is a kind of spur, almost like the quill of a porcupine. It is an inch long, of a horny substance and hollow. The legs are covered before with scales. The end of the foot is cloven, and has two very large toes, of unequal sizes. The Ostrich is a native only of the torrid regions of Arabia and Africa, and has never bred out of the countries which first produced it. In these formidable regions, Ostriches are seen in large flocks, which appear to the distant spectator like a regiment of cavalry, and have often alarmed a whole caravan. They are the most voracious of animals, devouring leather, grass, hair, stones and iron. They lay very large eggs, some of which are above five inches in diameter, and weigh above fifteen pounds. These eggs often contain a num- · ber of small, hard, oval-shaped pebbles, which are sometimes set and used as buttons. The female lays generally from thirty to forty eggs in the season. Among the ancients, whole nations received the name. of Strathophagi, Ostrich-eaters, from their fondness for the flesh of this bird. Even at this period, some of the savage nations of Africa hunt them not only for their plumage, but because they consider them dainty eating. They sometimes also breed them tame, for the sake of the young one, the female of which is considered the greatest delicacy. A single egg is said to be a sufficient entertainment for eight men. The skin of the Ostrich is so thick that it is used for leather by the Arabians, and of the eggs drinking cups are made. The value of the เ $ plumage is well known to the belles of Europe and the United States. The Strathophagi had an ingenious mode of taking these animals. They disguised themselves in the skin of an Ostrich, and putting one of their arms through the neck, they imitated all its motions. By this means, they are said to have been enabled to approach and take them at pleasure. Ostriches are sometimes bred in flocks, for they are. easily tamed. In this domestic state they play and frisk about with much vivacity, and are tractable and familiar towards those who are acquainted with them. To strangers however they are often fierce, and will attack them with fury, making an angry hissing noise, having their throats inflated and their mouths open. During the night they frequently utter a discordant cry, which bears a resemblance to the distant roaring of a lion, or the hoarse tone of a bear or an ox when in great agony. THE CONDOR. The most romantic and wonderful stories were at one time told and believed, of the size and exploits of the Condor. Modern travellers, however, have exposed the exaggerations of former writers, and given a true description of this remarkable bird. The length of a male specimen of the Condor, somewhat less than nine feet in the expanse of its wings, was three feet three inches from the tip of the beak to the extremity of the tail. Its height, when perching, with |