122 ON THE BIRDS OF NORTH-EASTERN aUEKNSUND. [Jail. 18, 



The following are measurements of some of the specimens of the 

 eggs of both species : — 



Casuarius australis. 



No. 1. Light-green smooth shell 

 No. 2. Dark-green rough shell . 



Casuarius bennettii 



No. 1. Light-green smooth shell . 



No. 2. Light-green rough shell . 



No. 3. Light-green rough shell . 



No. 4. Dark-green rough shell. . . 



The young of Casuarius australis are of a dull rusty brown, the 

 feathers having frequently a blackish shaft-stripe, giving to the back 

 a streaked appearance. After the first year the plumage takes a 

 deeper lighter brown hue, and black feathers begin to appear mixed 

 with brown, some being party-coloured. After the second season, at 

 the age of 18 to 24 months, the black feathers predominate, and 

 the helmet, which has hitherto been undeveloped, more like the 

 shield of a coot (Fulica), begins to show a keel or ridge in the centre, 

 which rapidly increases in height. The skin round the head, on 

 which still remain a few brownish hair-like feathers, begins to become 

 wrinkled and coloured, varying from bluish-green to orange on the 

 lower part, and bright blue on the sides of the neck, the wattles 

 becoming carmine. The helmet still remains comparatively small 

 and undeveloped long after the wattles and naked parts of the neck 

 become coloured. I believe that the helmet does not attain its fill 

 size until the fourth or fifth year at least. In traversing the scrubs 

 the head is carried low to the ground, and the vines and branches 

 of trees striking the helmet slide over it on to the back. Otherwise 

 in the dense vine-scrubs bordering the Herbert river and else- 

 where progress would be greatly impeded ; but as it is, the Casso- 

 waries traverse the scrubs with wonderful speed, jumping over fallen 

 trees and logs when in the way. A young bird (the identical speci- 

 men, I believe, forwarded by his Excellency the Marquis of Nor- 

 manby to the Society), while in the possession of Inspector John- 

 stone, during my visit succeeded in jumping out of its yard over 

 a fence more than 6 feet in height. I measured the fence, and 

 found it 6 feet G inches to the top rail, on which its feet-marks were 

 plainly visible ; the length of the yard was only 12 X 12 ft. I found 

 the adult Cassowaries in full moult in March ; but the new feathers had 

 not all made their appearance in May. During these months speci- 

 mens in confinement were remarkably irritable and frequently sulky, 

 even refusing their food (which they invariably do when unwell), 

 and were at times very spiteful, even attacking their keepers ; but 

 strangers chiefly come in for a share of their dislike. At all times I 

 have noticed they are very fond of bathing; the semiadult bird 

 before alluded to, which I forwarded to the Society, was remarkable 



