264 LETTER XLII. 



Although the ostrich inhabits the most solitary de- 

 serts, ft does not seem an unsocial creature. In those 

 horrid regions, large flocks of them are seen together, 

 which, at a distance, appear like a regiment of ca- 

 valry; and being mistaken for a troop of plundering 

 Arabs, have, on some occasions, given the alarm to a 

 whole caravan that was crossing the deserts. 



I have, my dear Sir, expatiated somewhat largely 

 on the ostrich, as it has been noticed from time imme- 

 morial, and is often mentioned by authors both sacred 

 and profane. In regard to the other birds of the stru- 

 thious order, I shall endeavour to describe them in a 

 manner more concise. 



THE CASSOWARY 



is a bird not far inferior in size to the ostrich, being 

 about five feet and a half in height; and although its 

 neck be shorter, its body is as bulky as that of the 

 former; its neck and legs also, being thicker- and 

 stronger in proportion, this conformation gives it an 

 air of strength and compactness, while the fierceness 

 and singularity of its aspect conspire to give it a for- 

 midable appearance. 



The head of the cassowary, although small, like 

 that of the ostrich, seems calculated to inspire some 

 degree of terror, being destitute of feathers, and al- 

 most wholly covered with a helmet of a horny sub- 

 stance. To the peculiar singularity of this natural 

 armour, may be added the colour of the eye of this 

 bird, which is of a bright fiery yellow, and the globe- 

 being above an inch and a half in diameter, gives it 

 an ah* equally fierce and extraordinary: The skin 

 which covers the breast is callous, and without tea?* 

 thers; the thighs and legs are feathered, and exceed- 

 ingly strong and thick. . . 



This bird has been said to have the 'head of a war- 

 rior, the. eye of a lion, the armour of a porcupine, and 

 the fleetness of a horse. It seen^sj. -indeed,. , so per- 

 fectly formed for a life of hostilit\vboth-o|rensive and 

 defensive, for terrifying o'hcrs, and protecting, itself, 

 that, the cassowary might, from its external appear- 

 ance, be thought one of the fiercest and most terrible 



