MOORUK. — Casvariits Benntttii. 



defence. Captain Devlin says, tliat the natives consider them to a certain degree sacred, 

 and rear them as pets. He does not know whether they are used as food, Liit if so, not 

 generally ; indeed, their shy disposition, and power of rapid running, darting through brake 

 and Ijush, would almost preclude tlieir capture. 



The natives carry them in their arms, and entertain a great affection for them, which 

 will account for their domesticated state with us. The noise of these birds, when in the- 

 yard, resembled that of the female turkey ; at other times, the peculiar chirping noise was 

 accompanied by a whistling sound, which often reminded me of the chirp of the Guinea 

 fowl. The contrast of these birds with the jabiru, or gigantic crane (Myctcria Austrdlls), 

 was very great. The Mooruks were sometimes seen moving about like the female turkey, 

 but were more often in a state of rapid motion or excitement ; when walking quietly, they 

 were very inc[uisitive, poking their beaks into everything, and familiar with every person. 

 The jabiru, on the other hand, was a perfect picture of sedate c^uietuess, looking upon all 

 play as injurious to his constitution or derogatory to his dignity, remaining stiff' in his 

 gait and serious in his demeanour. The ilooruks, by their activity and noise, would let 

 every one know they were in the yard, whereas no one would be aware of the presence of 

 the jabiru except liy sight ; and when he moves away, it is with a C|uiet sedate gait. 



Tlie Mooruk has, when seen in full face, a fine eagle-like expression of countenance, 

 having the same vivid, piercing eye and curved beak. The instant the Mooruk saw an 

 egg laid by a hen, he darted upon it, and In'ealcing the shell, devoured it immediately, as if 

 he had been accu.stomed to eggs all his life. A servant was opening a cask of ale : as soon 

 as the birds heard the hammering, tliey both ran down to it, anil remained there while it 

 was unpacked, srpiatting down on each side, most intently watching the process, and 

 occasionally pecking at the straw and contents. 



When the carpenter was in the yard, making some alteration in the cage of these 

 birds, previous to their voyage to England, it was very amusing to see them squat down 

 upon their tarsi, like dogs, watching the man, with the greatest apparent interest in all his 

 actions, enjoying the hammering noise, and occasionally picking up a nail, wliirh was not 

 in this instance swallowed, but again drojjped; one of them swallowed his "oilstone." 

 which so alarmed the man that he considered the bird had committed suicide, and hurried 



