2^i STKUTHIONID^. 



DROMAIUS IRRORATUS, Bm-tlett. ■ 

 Spotted Emu. 

 Gould, Bandbk. Bds. Aust , Vol. ii., sp. 493, p. 204. 



This rather doubtful species is found in the north-western 

 portion of the continent of Australia. A single egg of this bird 

 in the Dobroyde Collection, taken at Alligator Creek, about one 

 hundred miles south-west of Port Darwin, is finely pitted all over, 

 and entirely without granulations, the surface of the shell being 

 glossy and smooth, of a very dark green colour, almost approaching 

 to black. Long diameter 5 3 inches ; short diameter 3 '5 inches. 



Hab. Western Australia. 



Genus CASUAEIS, Linnams. 



CASUARIS AUSTRALIS, Wall. * 

 Australian Casso-wary. 

 Gould, Handbk. Bds. Au t.. Vol. ii., sp. 494, p. 206. 



Dr. Ramsay writing in 1876 on the birds of North-eastern 

 Queensland, remarks as follows : — 



" 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 procured easily enough, 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 



