BILLS OF SHORT-WINGED BIRDS. 217 



in the order in which we have considered it ; and 

 the habit of the bird corresponds. The nhandeu, or 

 ostrich of South America, has the bill shorter, and 

 rather compressed toward the tip, which, however, 

 is obtuse and furnished with a nail like that of the 

 African ostrich. The cassowary of the south-east of 

 Asia, has the bill compressed in its whole length, 

 with a horny knob at the base, and a keel on 

 the upper mandible which makes it stiff; but the 

 lower mandible is flexible. These feed more on fruits 

 and seeds than the others. The emu of Australia 

 has the bill very similar to that of the South Ame- 

 rican ostrich. 



Agami. 



The most singular bill of this order is that of the 

 apteryx. The bird is altogether a singular combina- 

 tion ; the body of an ostrich, the feet of a fowl, and 

 a bill more like that of the ibis than any other. 



