THE CASSOWARY. 



299 



It swallows all its food without bruising it The bird is sometimes ill 

 tempered and mischievous; is much irritated when any person ap- 

 proaches it of a dirty or ragged appearance, or dressed in red clothes; 

 and frequently attempts to strike at them by kicking forward with its 

 feet. It has been known even to leap out of its enclosure, and to tear 

 the legs of a man with its claws. 



The Cassowary is a very vigorous and powerful bird. Its beak 

 l)eing, in proportion, much stronger than that of the Ostrich, it has 

 the means of defending itself with great advantage, and of easily 



