The ostrich's neck accounts for nearly half its great height. The powerful legs are long and featherless. There are two toes, with the main toe developed almost as a hoof. The ostrich can run up to 40 miles (65 kilometers) per hour and kicks dangerously in defense when cornered.

   The central portion of an ostrich's body is covered with feathers, some of which are beautiful. The male is mostly black, but with white in the wings and tail. Females are primarily brown. Ostriches have been hunted and raised on farms for their plumage, used to decorate military dress helmets and women's garments. Ostrich hide makes a supple leather.

   Ostriches live in flocks of 5 to 50 with other grazing animals. They chiefly eat plant matter. Ostriches sometimes lie on the ground with neck outstretched when enemies are near. This may have given rise to the legend that the bird buries its head in the sand. Actually it is attempting to escape detection or view the enemy against a lighter horizon.

Rhea. This South American ratite somewhat resembles the ostrich but is considerably smaller, measuring about 4 feet (120 centimeters) in height. Among the three species is Rhea americana, called the common rhea. Rheas are brownish instead of black like the ostrich and have three toes instead of two. They live on plants and, like ostriches, move in groups along with other grazing animals.

   In Brazil, rheas thrive on the open plains where cattle are raised. Annually, gauchos trap rheas in nets, wrestle them one by one to the ground, and take their tail feathers, which are made into dusters.

Emu. The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the surviving species of its family. The others were exterminated by European settlers in mainland Australia and Tasmania. Second largest of living birds, this ratite stands more than 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and may weigh over 100 pounds (45 kilograms). It can run nearly 30 miles (50 kilometers) per hour.

   Emus lack the graceful plumage of the ostrich. Their feathers look a bit like shaggy fur. The birds' windpipe, or trachea, is constructed in such a way that they can make a loud booming sound.

   Emus forage in small groups for fruits and insects. Because the birds sometimes damage crops, farmers often shoot at them.

Cassowary. A native of Australia, Papua New Guinea, and nearby islands, this ratite is the third largest living bird. Casuarius casuarius, the common or Australian cassowary, stands nearly 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and has a blue head protected by a bony helmet, or casque, and two long red wattles on the throat. One of the three toes on its feet bears a long nail that can disembowel a human being. Adult birds are black in color. Immature specimens are brown. Cassowaries feed on fruits and small animals.

Kiwi. Native to New Zealand, these ratites are among the world's oddest creatures. Apteryx australis, the common kiwi, has tiny useless wings hidden within its soft, grayish-brown, hairlike plumage. Its nostrils, located at the tip of its long flexible bill (rather than at the base as with most birds), help it to locate worms underground. The legs are stout and muscular. A large claw occurs on each of the four toes.