SHORT-WINGED CURSORIAL BIRDS. 303 



colour. The large strong feet and legs exhibit a remarkable peculiarity in the extremity of the claw of 

 the inner toe, it being nearly three times as large as the other claws. The horny plate on the top of the. 

 head resembles mother-of-pearl darkened with blacklead. The form of the bill differs considerably 

 from that of the Emu {Dromceus Nova-HoUandice\ being longer and more curi'ed, with a black and 

 leathery cere. Behind the horny head-plate rises a small tuft of black, hair-like feathers which are 

 continued in greater or less number over most parts of the neck. 



The Mooruk, according to Gould, lives exclusively in the gullies and humid parts of dense 

 forests, and feeds upon the roots of ferns and plants peculiar to such situations. The first specimen 

 ever seen in Europe was purchased by Dr. George Bennett, so well known from his contributions 

 to science, and sent by him to the Zoological Society of London. The bird was obtained at a 

 native village lying at the foot of two hills, called by navigators the " Mother and Daughter," and 

 situated on that part of the coast of New Britain lying between Cape Palliser and Cape Stephen. 

 In 1858 Dr. Bennett purchased two other specimens brought to Sydney by Captain Devlin, who 

 bought them in New Britain and had had them in his possession for eight months. According to 

 the statement of that gentleman, the natives of that part capture them when very young and rear 

 them by hand. The adults it is impossible to make prisoners, as they are remarkably swift and 

 possess great strength in the legs ; on the least alarm they at once dart into thick brushwood, where 

 no human being could follow them, and disappear like magic. We can do no better than give our 

 readers the benefit of Bennett's own graphic and circumstantial account of this Cassowary, which 

 he alone has been at the trouble of training and closely observing : — " My birds," says that naturalist, 

 " when placed in the yard walked about as tame as Turkeys. They approached an}' one who came 

 into the yard, pecking the hand as if desirous of being fed, and were very docile. They began by 

 pecking at a bone, probably not having tasted any meat for some time, and would not while engaged 

 upon it touch some boiled potatoes which were thro\vn to them ; indeed, we found afterwards that 

 they fed better out of a dish than from the ground — no doubt having been early accustomed to be 

 fed in that manner. They were as familiar as if bom and bred among us for years, and did not 

 require time to reconcile them to their new situation, but became sociable and quite at home at once. 

 We found them next day rather too tame, or like spoilt pets, too often in the way. One or both of 

 them would walk into the kitchen, and while one was dodging under the tables and chairs, the other 

 would leap upon the table, keeping the cook in a state of excitement ; or they would be heard 

 chirping in the hall, or walk into the library in search of food or information, or walk up-stairs, and 

 then be quickly seen descending again, making their peculiar chirping, whistling noise ; not a door 

 could be left open but in they walked, familiar with all. They kept the sen-ants constantly on the 

 alert ; if one of them went to open a door, on turning round she found a Mooruk behind her, for 

 they seldom went together, but generally wandered apart from each other ; if any attempt were made to 

 turn them out by force, they would dart rapidly round the room, dodging about under the tables, chairs, 

 and sofas, and then end by squatting down under a sofa or in a corner, so that it was impossible 

 to remove the bird except by carrying it away; on attempting this, the long, powerful muscular 

 legs would begin kicking and struggling and soon get released, when it would politely walk out of 

 its own accord. I found the best method was to entice them out as if you had something eatable 

 in your hand, when they would follow the direction in which you wished to lead them. The house- 

 maid attempting to turn the bird out of one of the rooms, it gave her a kick and tore her dress. 

 They walked into the stable among the horses, poking their bills into the manger. When writing 

 in my study, a chirping whistling noise is heard. The door, which is ajar, is pushed open, and in 

 walk the Mooruks, who quietly pace round the room inspecting everything, and then as peaceably 

 go out again. If any attempt is made to turn them out, they leap, dart about, and exhibit a 



