CASSOWAllIES. 



13 



Family II. Casuaruda:. Cassowaries. 



The Cassowaries (1 0-20) resemble the Emus [Dromceidw] and the Moas [Cases 5, 

 {Dinornithidai) , inasmuch as the feathers clothing the general surface of i^.j^jQ^^g"-! 

 the body appear to be double, the aftershaft or accessory plume being as 

 long as the main feather. They differ^ however, in the peculiar structure 

 of the wing, which is extremely small and has the quill-feathers reduced 

 in number to five or six. These consist of stout bare shafts without 

 any barbs, and project conspicuously beyond the body-feathers. The 

 bill is compressed, the top of the head carries a horny casque or 

 helmet, varying in form in the different species, and some part of the 

 neck is bare, generally more or less ornamented with caruncles or 

 wattles and brightly coloured. The inner toe is armed with a long, 

 sharp, powerful claw. 



Eleven species are known, and with the exception of the Australian 

 Cassowary {Casuarius australis] (10), which is found in the Cape York 

 Peninsula and extends as far south as Rockingham Bay, all are natives 

 of the Papuan group of islands extending eastward to New Britain. 

 They inhabit the dense forests and scrub, and are never met with in the 

 open plains. The nest — a mere depression among the fallen leaves and 

 debris below bushes and undergrowth — contains from three to six large 

 eggs of a bright green colour. Incubation lasts for about seven weeks, 

 and, as in the allied forms, is performed by the male bird, who also 

 tends the young when hatched. The nestlings are clothed in rusty 

 brown with darker stripes, and at a later period become more tawny, 

 finally assuming the glossy black hair-like plumage of the adult. The 

 wattles and bright colours on the neck are assumed at a compara- 

 tively early period, but the helmet is very gradually developed. Casso- 

 waries run with great swiftness, and when evading pursuit leap over 

 high obstacles with wonderful agility ; they are also strong swimmers, 

 and able to cross wide rivers with ease. Their cry is a loud, harsh, 

 quickly repeated guttural sound audible at a great distance. Their skin 

 is manufactured into mats and head- ornaments by the natives. 



Order VI, APTERYGIEORMES. 



Family ApTEiiYGiDiE. Iviwis. (Plate I.) 



The Kiwis are the smallest of the flightless Ratitw, and differ from L<^"se -5.] 

 all existing forms of the group in possessing a small hind toe or hallux 

 and in the length of the bill, the nostrils of which are placed near the 

 tip, instead of at the base as is the case in most birds. The feathers 

 have no aftershaft. The wings are so small that they are completely 

 concealed by the general body-clothing, and there is no visible tail. 



