362 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



is every reason for thinking that these Birds might be successfully 

 acclimatised in Europe. 



The Cassowarys (Casuarius cunt, Fig. 145) form a genus of birds 

 allied to the ostrich, although they differ from it in some particulars 



Fig. 144. The Rhea. 



their shape is not so elegant, and their wings are even less adapted 

 for flight ; for so short are they, that they are pefectly useless, even to 

 assist in running. Their long blackish feathers are almost devoid of 

 side fringes, which gives their plumage a resemblance to coarse hair ; 

 their feet are provided with three toes. This Bird was called the 



