8 OSTRICH-FAEMING IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



of Magellan, thus reaching to 18 degrees nearer the 

 Pole than the Ostrich. It is being rapidly destroyed 

 for the sake of its feathers, which are being exported in 

 enormous quantities, principally to North America and 

 France. The egg of the Rhea, like the Ostrich, is cream- 

 coloured when fresh laid, gradually turning quite white. 



THE EMU 



inhabits the whole of Australia, and Australia only. 

 It has three toes, is of a brown colour^ the feathers being 

 of a crisp^ hairy nature, and of no commercial value. 

 Its eggs are very handsome, being of a deep blue colour, 

 and much indented. It has all the habits of the 

 Ostrich. The plumage of the two sexes is of the same 

 colour. It is fast being destroyed, as the country gets 

 filled up with sheep. 



THE CASSOWARY 



is found sparsely in Northern Australia, some parts 

 of the Malay Archipelago,, and in the South Pacific. It 

 is distinguished from the other members of the Ostrich 

 family by a large horny excrescence on its head, and 

 most of the species^ of which there are several, have one 

 or two wattles suspended from the neck. It stands, like 

 the Emu, about five feet high, is of a very dark brown 



