An ostrich stands a foot tall a few days after birth and grows to about eight feet at maturity, making it one of the tallest birds in the world and, with its long legs, one of the swiftest of animals.

Still unhatched, Ozzie learns to identify his parents' booming voices. After birth and throughout his young life, he will stay close to them, learning what to eat, how to detect danger, where to find water, and developing his keen sight.

Alice L. Hopf follows Ozzie's first survival of the dry season on the great African veld and his magnificent, astonishing courtship of his first mate. This fascinating narrative, full of beautiful descriptions and interesting facts about this unusual bird, is deftly illustrated by Ben Stahl.

From the dust jacket