120 MR. E. P. RAMSAY ON THE BIRDS OF [Jan. 18, 



all haste to the Herbert-river Police Camp, where I was most hos- 

 pitably entertained and welcomed by Inspector Johnstone, who was 

 the first to rediscover and bring under the notice of others the 

 existence of this remarkable species. I found Inspector Johnstone 

 a true sportsman, as well as an ardent lover of Nature, a zealous and 

 energetic naturalist, and a careful observer. I am indebted to this 

 gentleman for much valuable information respecting the manners and 

 customs of the aborigines, and notes on the habits of many birds 

 and animals new to me, and especially for information on the present 

 species. 



The Australian Cassowary is a denizen of the dense dark scrubs 

 scattered over the district of Rockingham Bay, and extending as far 

 north as the Endeavour river. It was tolerably plentiful only a few 

 years ago even in the neighbourhood of Cardwell ; but since the 

 advent of sugar-planters &c. on the Herbert river and adjacent 

 creeks, these fine birds have been most ruthlessly shot down and 

 destroyed for the sake of their skins, several of which I saw used for 

 hearth-rugs and door-mats. Formerly they were easily enough 

 procured ; but latterly so wary have they become, and their numbers 

 so decreased, that it is only with the greatest amount of patience 

 even a stray shot can be obtained. I know of no bird so wary and 

 timid ; and although their fresh tracks may be plentiful enough, and 

 easily found in the soft mud on the sides of the creeks, or under 

 their favourite feeding-trees, yet the birds themselves are seldom now 

 seen. During the day they remain in the most dense parts of the 

 scrubs, wandering about the sides of the watercourses and creeks, 

 diving in through the bushes and vines at the slightest noise. 

 Touards evening and early in the morning they usually visit their 

 favourite feeding-trees, such as the native figs, Leichardt-tree (S. 

 leichardti), and various species of Acmena, Jambosa, Davidsonia, 

 &c. ; they appear to be particularly fond of the astringent fruit of 

 the Leichardt-trees and of a species of Maranta, which produced 

 bunches of large seed-pods filled with juicy pulp, resembling in 

 appearance the inside of a ripe passion-fruit (Passijlora edulis). 

 Fruits and berries of all kinds are eagerly sought after ; the tame 

 semiadult bird which I had the pleasure of forwarding to the Society 

 (18/5) became so fond of the fruit of the Cape-Mulberry that he 

 would allow no one to come near the tree he had taken possession of. 

 This bird has frequently devoured at a time as much as 3 quarts of 

 " Loquats " (fruit of Eriobotria japonica), and several fair-sized 

 oranges whole, besides its usual amount of bread per diem (about 

 3 pounds). In nature, I found that in the afternoons they frequently 

 came out and walked along the scrubs, or along the side of the river 

 or creeks, and swallowed large quantities of pebbles and small rough- 

 edged stones. In confinement, plantains and sweet potatoes (in large 

 pieces, which they can swallow whole) are a favourite food, while 

 nothing seems to come amiss to them — grasshoppers, spiders, earth- 

 worms, cockroaches, caterpillars of all kinds, dough, and even raw 

 meat. They ascertain the flavour of their diet by first taking it up 

 in the tip of their bill and giving it a slight pinch ; and if not suitable, 



