The Cassowary. 



341 



is polygamous, but the curious part of tlio matter is that 

 the females often lay their eggs almost anywhere on the 

 ground, and the male takes the trouble of collecting 

 them into a sort of nest, and sitting on them until the 

 young birds are hatched. When thus occupied, the 

 males often become very fierce, and will attack any one 

 that approaches them too closely. 



THE CASSOWARY, (Camarius galeattis,) 



INSTEAD of the beautiful plumes of the ostrich, has his 

 wings furnished only with five stiff quills without barbs, 

 which project curiously from the feathers of the body. 

 His plumage is black ; his head is small and depressed, 

 with a horny crown or helmet, and covered with a naked 

 red skin ; the head and neck are deprived of feathers ; 



