rat·ite 
(rătīt′)
(rătīt′)adj.
Relating to or being any of a group of flightless birds having a flat breastbone without the keellike prominence characteristic of most flying birds.
n.
A ratite bird, such as the ostrich or emu.
[From Latin ratītus, marked with the figure of a raft (in reference to the lack of the keellike prominence), from ratis, raft.]