PLATE XLIX. 



CASUARIUS BENNETI ( Gould J- 



BENNETS CASSOWARY, OR MOOR UK Genus: Casuarius. 



LIKE the Australian Cassowary, the Mooruk possesses a singular interest, because it represents an 

 almost extinct group of mammoth birds, and, with the C. Galeatus, is considered by Professor 

 Owen to be the nearest allied living type of his genus, Pcdapteryx. Such being the case, it would not 

 be transcending the bounds of probability to suppose that the habits, economy, plumage, and general 

 characteristics of this bird should throw light upon those of the extinct races, such as the Dinornis 

 and its allies. 



The Mooruk is an exclusive, retiring bird, found only in the gullies and humid districts of 

 dense forests, safe from the incursions of man. Here it feeds upon the roots of ferns, and plants 

 natural to such localities. Hence the reason of its peculiar hair-like plumage. Fine feathers would 

 be as much out of place in those gloomy recesses as the filamentous imperishable feathers of the 

 Mooruk would be out of place on the bodies of birds intended for plains-life, like the Ostrich or 

 Rhea. But it is to Dr. Bennett we must turn for details of this interesting Cassowary, he having 

 collected much curious information while a pair were in his possession in Sydney. Up to the present 

 the Mooruk is only known to inhabit the comparatively small island of New Britain, situated off the 

 East Coast of New Guinea. Here the first Mooruk was obtained at a native village under two hills, 

 known as " Mother and Daughter " by traders to that out-of-the-world region ; and upon its arrival in 

 Sydney it passed into the hands of Dr. Bennett, who thus describes it : — 



" The feet and legs, which are very large and strong, are of a pale ash-color, and exhibit a 

 remarkable peculiarity in the extreme length of the claw of the inner toe on each foot, it being nearly 

 three times the length which obtains in the claws of the other toes. This bird, which is immature, 

 differs from the Casuarius Galeatus, in having a heavy plate, instead of a helmet-like protuberance 

 at the top of the head, which cellous plate has the character of, and resembles mother-of-pearl 

 darkened with black lead. The form of the bill differs considerably from that of the Emu (Dromeus 

 Novce-Hollandke), being narrower, longer, and more curved, and having a black and leathery core at 

 the base ; behind the plate of the head is a small tuft-of-black hair-like feathers, which are continued 

 in greater or less abundance over most parts of the neck." 



Later on the same authority writes to the Zoological Society of London : — " On the 26th of 

 October, 1858, the " Oberon," cutter, of 48 tons, arrived in Sydney, having two fine specimens of the 

 " Mooruk " on board, stated to be male and female. Captain Devlin informed me he had them eight 

 months, that he procured them soon after his arrival at New Britain, and since that time had been 

 trading about the Islands. They were about half the size of the specimens sent to England last year. 

 He also told me that the natives capture them when very young, and rear them by hand. The old 

 birds are very swift of foot, and possess great strength in the legs. On the least alarm they elevate 

 the head, and, seeing danger, dart among the thick bush, thread about in localities where no 

 human being could follow them, and disappear like magic. Their powers of leaping are very extraordinary 

 It was from this circumstance the first bird brought from New Britain was lost. From its habit of 

 leaping, it one day made a spring on the deck, and went overboard. It was blowing a strong breeze 

 at the time, and the bird perished. I succeeded in purchasing these birds, and Captain Slater, the 

 present Commander of the " Oberon," brought them to my house in a cab, and when placed in the 

 yard they walked about as tame as turkeys. They approached anyone that came into the yard, 

 picking the hand as if desirous of being fed, and were very docile. They began by picking at a bone 

 in the yard, probably not having tasted any meat for some time, and would not, while engaged upon 

 it, touch some boiled potatoes which were thrown to them ; indeed, we found afterwards they fed 



