182 CASSOWARY. 



triches associate in flocks of four or five females, headed 

 by a male. These are said to unite in the formation of 

 a nest, which consists merely of a hollow place in the 

 ground, and each to lay in it from ten to twelve eggs, 

 which they sit upon in the night, but frequently leave 

 exposed to the rays of the sun during the day. The eggs 

 of the Ostrich are of large size, eight inches or upwards 

 in length ; and in flavour are considered greatly superior 

 to those of domestic fowls. The Ostrich inhabits the 

 torrid plains of the interior oft various parts both of Africa 

 and Asia. 



The head is small, and the neck extremely long and 

 slender. These are clad with a kind of hair. The fea- 

 thers of the body are black and loose ; and those of the 

 wings and tail are white, long, and waved. At the pinion 

 of each wing there is a kind of spine or spur. The thighs 

 and flanks are naked. The feet have each two toes, are 

 peculiarly strong, and of a gray-brown colour. The bill 

 is horn-coloured. 



Cassowary* This, like the ostrich, is a large and 

 powerful bird. It also is unable to fly, but runs with 

 surprising agility* Though naturally mild and inoffen- 

 sive, Cassowaries are able to inflict severe wounds by 

 means of their bill; and they strike with their feet, 

 either backward or forward, in a very dangerous man- 

 ner. So great is their voracity, that they will devour 

 almost any substances which are presented to them; 

 but they feed principally on roots and fruit. In con- 

 finement they will also live upon bread. Cassowaries 

 are found in some parts of India, and in the islands of 

 the Indian Ocean. They form for their nest a hole in 

 the ground, and lay in it three or four eggs, which are 

 of a grayish colour, spotted with grass-green and white, 



