CASSOWARIES. 13 
Family II]. Casuarupx. Cassowarigs. 
The Cassowaries (10-20) resemble the Emus (Dromeide) and the Moas 
(Dinornithide), inasmuch as the feathers clothing the general surface of 
the body appear to be double, the aftershaft or accessory plume being as 
long as the main feather. They differ, however, in the peculiar structure 
of the wing, which is extremely small and has the quill-feathers reduced 
in number to five or six. These consist of stout bare shafts without 
any barbs, and project conspicuously beyond the body-feathers. The 
bill is compressed, the top of the head carries a horny casque or 
helmet, varying in form in the different species, and some part of the 
neck is bare, generally more or less ornamented with caruncles or 
wattles and brightly coloured. The inner toe is armed with a long 
sharp, powerful claw. 
About fourteen species are known, and with the exception of the 
Australian Cassowary (Casuarius australis) (10), which is found in the 
Cape York Peninsula and extends as far south as Rockingham Bay, all are 
natives of the Papuan group of islands extending eastward to New Britain. 
They inhabit the dense forests and scrub, and are never met with in the 
open plains. The nest—a mere depression among the fallen leaves and 
débris below bushes and undergrowth—contains from three to six large 
eggs of a bright green colour. Incubation lasts for about seven weeks, 
and, as in the allied forms, is performed by the male bird, who also 
tends the young when hatched. The nestlings are clothed in rusty 
brown with darker stripes, and at a later period become more tawny, 
finally assuming the glossy black hair-like plumage of the adult. The 
wattles and bright colours on the neck are assumed at a compara- 
tively early period, but the helmet is very gradually developed. Casso- 
waries run with great swiftness, and when evading pursuit leap over 
high obstacles with wonderful agility ; they are also strong swimmers, 
and able to cross wide rivers with ease. Their cry is a loud, harsh, 
quickly repeated guttural sound audible at a great distance. Their skin 
is manufactured into mats and head-ornaments by the natives. 
Order VI. APTERYGIFORMES. 
Family Arreryeipx. Kiwis. (Plate 1.) 
The Kiwis are the smallest of the flightless Ratite, and differ from 
all existing forms of the group in possessing a small hind toe or hallux 
and in the length of the bill, the nostrils of which are placed near the 
tip, instead of at the base as is the case in most birds. The feathers 
have no aftershaft. The wings are so small that they are completely 
concealed by the general body-clothing, and there is no visible tail. 
[Cases 6, 
6, & Cen- 
tral Case. | 
[Case 5.} 
