210 
is every reason to believe that we shall ere long be able to make the 
desired comparisons*. 
The Ostrich of the Syrian and Arabian Deserts, mentioned by 
Col. Chesney (Journ. Euphr. Exp. i. p. 588), Dr. Layard (Nineveh, 
i. p. 324), and other writers, and frequently referred to in the Holy 
Scripturest, should also be carefully examined. It is not impro- 
bable that it may turn out to be a third species or well-marked local 
variety. 
In the interior of Africa there is said by some of the older writers 
to exist a diminutive Ostrich (L’ Autruchon). I have lately received 
some information on this subject from Mr. J. Petherick, H.B.M. 
Consul for Sudan, who tells me that his hunters have actually had 
this bird alive, and I have requested him to endeavour to procure 
further evidence on this point. 
Il. Ruwa. 
I have already pointed out above the characters which distinguish 
Rhea macrorhyncha—the third species of the Neotropical type of the 
Struthionide—trom the two previously known, R. americana and 
R. darwinii.. There are examples of all three living in the Society’s 
Gardens. 
Il[. CAsuaARtIus. 
The Indian Region, like the two Northern Geographical Regions— 
the Palearctic and Nearctic{—has no Struthious birds—the genus 
Casuarius being confined to the northern portion of the Australasian 
Region, and represented in the main land of Australia by species of 
the nearly allied genus Dromeus. Of Casuarius we have indications 
of the existence of five species, 2s follows :— 
1. Casuarius galeatus, the Common Cassowary. In the Leyden 
Museum are specimens of this bird from Ceram, the only certain 
locality I know for it. We have a very fine male example living in 
our Gardens. 
2. Casuarius bennettii (P. Z. S. 1857, p. 268, pl. 129; 1858, 
p. 271; 1859, p. 32), the Mooruk of New Britain, of which we 
have three examples in our Gardens. 
3. Casuarius australis (P. Z. 8. 1857, p. 268), discovered by the 
late Mr. Wall on Cape York, Northern Australia, and said to be 
distinguished by a “ bright red helmet and blue and scarlet carun- 
cles.” The only example yet obtained of this bird has been unfor- 
tunately lost. 
4, Casuarius , a species living in the menagerie of the Babu 
* Prince Bonaparte speaks of a Struthio epoasticus, Compt. Rend. xliii. p. 785, 
but I cannot make out that he refers to either the southern or northern species. 
+ Isaiah, ch. xiii. v. 21: “ Habitabunt ibi. Struthiones,” translated in our ver- 
sion ‘ doleful creatures !’ Also Lamentations, iv. 3; Job, xxxix. 13 ef seq., and other 
passages. The Ostrich was unclean according to the Jewish law. 
+ Confer Journ. Proc. Linn. Soc. ii. p. 130 (1858). 
