THE OSTRICH-LIKE BIRDS 



29 



which, solid though it looks, is really a very frail structure, consisting 

 of a mass of delicate lace-work of bone encased in a thin sheath of 

 horn. 



The general appearance of the Cassowary 

 is well seen in the figure on Plate I. fig. 3. 

 The curious spikes projecting from the sides 

 of the body are all that remain of wing- 

 feathers, while the wing as a whole is ex- 

 tremely degenerate and very small. The hand 

 is so reduced that it cannot be bent back at 

 the wrist, as in birds that fly, and the thumb 

 is quite lost, as in the Emeu. The only finger 

 that is left is provided with a long claw, the 

 use of which is unknown. Cassowaries are 

 further remarkable for the fact that the inner 

 toe bears an enormous claw, which is used 

 in fighting — forming indeed a very formidable 

 weapon. Both sexes are coloured alike. 

 Altogether fifteen different species of Casso- 

 waries are known, one of which exceeds the 

 Emeu in size, standing as much as six feet 

 high. 



The Emeu and Cassowary enjoy the dis- 

 tinction of differing from all other birds in 

 that the feathers are double — that is to say, 

 each has two shafts — and these are of equal 

 length (see fig. 11). 



The Rhea, or " Nandu " (Plate I. fig. 2), 

 of South America, though smaller than either 

 the Emeu or the Cassowary, is yet a very large 

 bird. Among other things, it is remarkable 

 for the relatively large size of the wings, which 

 are extended by the birds when running, to 



act as sails, though they are far too feeble to raise the body off the 

 ground. The loose structure of the feathers, indeed, forms another 

 bar to anything like flight. Both sexes are alike in colour, and there 

 is little difference in the plumage of the young and fully adult birds. 



II.— Feather of 

 Cassowary showing 

 the large after=shaft 

 marked A. 



