362 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



is every reason for thinking that these Birds might be successfully 

 acclimated in Europe. 



The Cassowarys (Casuarius emu, Fig. 145) form a genus of birds 

 allied to the ostrich, although they differ from it in some particulars 



Fig. 144. — The Rhea. 



—their shape is not so elegant, and their wings are even less adapted 

 for flight ; for so short are they, that they are pefectly useless, even to 

 assist in running. Their long blackish feathers are almost devoid of 

 side fringes, which gives their plumage a resemblance to coarse hair ; 

 their feet are provided with three toes. This Bird was called the 



