The plural of goat is *ma'z*, *ma'iz*, and *mi'za*. The alif in *mi'za* is for the sake of rhyme, like *hijra'*, *hibla'*, and *dirham*. Its diminutive is *mu'iz*. *Al-khubr* is a noun derived from *ikhtibar* (test). The proverb says: He is as cunning as a wolf among goats, and as sly as an ostrich in testing: if told to fly, he says, "I am a camel," and if told to carry, he says, "I am a bird." This proverb is used to describe a deceitful and cunning person.
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The closest English equivalent to this proverb is:
A wolf in sheep's clothing.
This perfectly captures the aspect of cunning and hidden deceit.
And because the Arabic proverb also focuses on changing colors, evading, and dodging according to self-interest, a similar expression is:
He plays both sides.
That is, he changes colors according to what benefits him.
Similarly:
A sly fox.
Or:
He twists to suit the occasion.
For the full meaning—deception, cunning, and evading through trickery—one can say:
A cunning trickster who changes colors when tested.
This is similar to the image of an ostrich that doesn't remain steadfast when tested.
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يقال في جمع الماعز : مَعْز ومَعِيز ومِعْزىً والألف في مِعْزىً للإلحاق بفِعْلَل مثل هِجْرَع وهِبْلَع ودِرْهَم وتصغيرها مُعيز والْخُبْرُ : اسم من الاختبار يقول : هو في الخبث كالذئب وقع في المِعْزَى وفي الاختبار كالظَّليم : إن قيل له " طِرْ " قال : أنا جَمَل وإن قيل له " احْمِلْ " قال : أنا طائر
يضرب للخَلُوب المكَّار
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