APPENDIX. 



565 



them. The housemaid attempting to tm-n the bird out of one 

 of the rooms, it gave her a kick and tore her dress. They 

 walked into the stable among the horses, poking their bills 

 into the manger. When writing in my study, a chirping 

 whistling noise is heard ; the door, which is ajar, is pushed 

 open, and in walk the ' Mooruks,' who quietly pace round 

 the room, inspecting everything, and then as peaceably go 

 out again. If any attempt is made to turn them out, they 

 leap, dart about, and exhibit a wonderful rapidity of move- 

 ment, which no one would suppose possible from their quiet 

 gait and manner at other times. Even in the very tame state 

 of these birds, I have seen sufficient of them to know that, if 

 they were loose in a wood, it would be impossible to catch 

 them, and almost as difficult to shoot them. One day, when 

 apparently frightened at something that occurred, I saw one 

 of them scour round the yard at a swift pace, and speedily 

 disappear under the archway so rapidly that the eye could 

 hardly follow it, upsetting all the poultry in its progress that 

 could not get out of the way. The lower half of the stable- 

 door, about four feet high, was kept shut, to prevent them 

 going in ; but this proved no obstacle, as it was easily leaped 

 over by these birds. They never appeared to take any notice 

 of, or be frightened at, the Jabiru or Gigantic Crane, which 

 was in the same yard, although that sedate, stately bird was 

 not pleased at their intrusion. One day I remarked the Jabiru 

 spreading his long wings, and clattering his beak, opposite 

 one of the 'Mooruks,' as if in ridicule of their wingless con- 

 dition. ' Mooruk,' on the other hand, was preening its fea- 

 thers, and spreading out its funny little apology for wings, as 

 if proud of displaying the stiff horny shafts with which they 

 were adorned. Captain Devlin says the natives consider them 

 to a certain degree sacred, rear them as pets, and have great 

 affection for them ; he is not aware that they are used for food, 

 but if so, not generally ; indeed, their shy disposition and 

 power of rapid running, darting through the brake and bush, 

 would almost preclude their capture. 



