on cassowaries.



83



is retained throughout life; it is amusing to see one of these great

birds careering over a lawn, rushing forward with plumage bristling

and neck outstretched, to examine something which has aroused

its interest.


Cassowaries are playful when young, dancing and running

most absurdly. Sometimes they utter a ridiculous “song” composed



of a few grunting notes. Curiosity is also indicated by croaking

and grunting. Unfortunately most adult cassowaries are spiteful

and quarrelsome, kicking savagely and fighting each other, and

are vicious towards dogs and cats


A few of the more remarkable forms may be briefly men¬

tioned. In the two-wattled group, the Ceram cassowary ( Casuarius

casuarins) has been the longest known, having been discovered as long

ago as 1596. It is a fine handsome species, which has often been



