364 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



is angry, is changed into a sonorous humming noise, not unlike 

 the sound of carriage-wheels or of distant thunder. The first bird 

 of this species which was seen in Europe was brought from Java 

 by the Dutch in 1597. 



The menagerie of the Museum of Natural History at Paris was 

 in possession of a Cassowary which devoured everything that was 

 given it — bread, fruit, vegetables, &c, and drank seven or eight 

 pints of water daily. In the London and the Paris Zoological 

 Gardens there are generally several to be seen. 



The Cassowary runs very swiftly, and in a way quite peculiar, for 

 it kicks up its heels at every step. They live in pairs ; and during 

 the breeding season the male bird shows a degree of violence which 

 renders him very formidable. The female lays three or four eggs in 

 the dust, and sits on them alone for about a month. The young 

 birds, when first hatched, are covered with a light down, and are 

 without the helmet, which it acquires as it approaches maturity. 



The wild nature of these birds renders them but little fitted for 

 domestication : this is a fact not much to be deplored, as their flesh 

 is of an unpleasant flavour, and in no other respect than as food 

 could they be of any service to us. 



The Emu (Dromaius australis, Plate XII.) is distinguished from 

 the last-named bird by its larger size, and also by the absence of 

 the helmet, the caruncles, and the pointed spines on the wings. It 

 inhabits the forest country of Central Australia. Being very power- 

 ful, it offers a stout resistance to dogs, with which it is hunted. It 

 can be tamed much more easily than the last-mentioned bird, and 

 manifests some attachment to its master. It is an excellent and 

 useful acquisition to man, for its flesh, being of an agreeable flavour, 

 is much esteemed. The few specimens which have been brought to 

 Europe seem to have been readily acclimated, for they have bred 

 afterwards. 



Kiwi-kiwi or Apteryx {Apteryx australis, Fig. 146), so called 

 from the Greek airrepov, "wingless," is a singular bird, bearing but 

 little resemblance to the other members of the class. It is no 

 larger than a domestic fowl, and combines the bill of the Woodcock 

 with the feet of the Gallinaceous tribe. The almost complete absence 

 of wings renders it a most remarkable creature. 



The plumage of the Apteryx is a chestnut brown ■ it has no tail, 

 and its mere stumps of wings are provided with strong and curved 

 claws. It is a native of New Zealand, and keeps in the marshes, 

 where it feeds on worms and grubs. Being nocturnal, it is seldom 

 seen. In spite of its short legs it runs very fast, and, if overtaken, 



