CASUARIIDAE 



35 



captivity they are almost omnivorous. In this state they become 

 extremely tame, and are kept like fowls by the natives of some 

 districts, who consider the flesh very palatable ; while in Queens- 

 land the adults are said to be hunted with dogs. The plumage 

 is used for the manufacture of mats, rugs, head-ornaments, ^and 

 the like. Cassowaries run with wonderful swiftness, though 

 rather heavily, diving into the bushes at a moment's notice, or 



ep^ee* 



FIG. 10. One-wattled Cassowary. Casuarius uniappendiculatus. x -j^. (From Nature. ) 



aiding themselves by their wings, and leaping over obstacles as 

 much as six feet high, if shelter is not readily available. They 

 usually rest on the whole of the metatarsus, but sleep on the 

 breast, or perhaps occasionally on the side ; at other times they 

 will dance about with contortions of the neck, or roll on the 

 ground like playful monkeys. Old males become very fierce 

 when driven to bay, kicking out in front or sideways, ruffling up 

 their feathers and using their beaks at the same time. In the 

 wet season swimming is a common practice, wide rivers being 



