226 THE BOOK OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 



whereas the common ostrich has only two, and these toes 

 are furnished with claws instead of nails. Unlike the 

 bird in Africa, the rheas have feathers on their heads and 

 necks, but they have no tails. Both kinds of bird use 

 their wings when running at their highest speed, which 

 latter is altogether remarkable. 



The emus and cassowaries are 'from the Australian 

 region, and they differ from the ostriches in many points. 

 Especially are their eggs distinct from those of the ostrich. 

 They are dark green in colour, and have rough shells, in- 

 stead of being smooth, light-coloured eggs. In this 

 group of birds the females are larger than the males, the 

 latter not only doing the whole of the hatching, which lasts 

 from eight to nine weeks, but taking entire charge of the 

 chickens as well. Emus are now so common in Great 

 Britain, where large numbers of them are kept in private 

 parks and other places, that it is unnecessary to describe 

 them, but they are rapidly being exterminated in the 

 Australian region, and it is fortunate that they so readily 

 adapt themselves to the vagaries of our extraordinary 

 climate. 



The cassowaries may generally be recognised at once by 

 the helmet-like prominence on the top of their heads, and 

 also, in some instances, by the heavy wattles hanging 

 from their necks. Their feathers are hair-like in texture, 

 and quite different in this respect from those of the 

 majority of birds, whilst the wings are represented, ex- 

 ternally, only by four or five black quills, which look like 

 coarse bristles. 



Both emus and cassowaries are three-toed birds, and 

 they defend themselves by powerful kicks from their 

 sturdy legs ; but it is curious to notice that whilst the 

 former always kick outwards and backwards, the casso- 

 waries invariably kick forwards, raising up their heads 

 and bodies to their full height at the same time. 



But of all the flightless birds, the kiwi or apteryx of New 

 Zealand is the most remarkable in appearance, habits, and 

 structure. The rounded body without a sign externally of 



