HABITS OF THE MOORUK. 
509 
of excitement ; or they would be heard in the hall or in the library, in search of food or 
information ; or they would walk upstairs, and then quickly descend again, making their 
peculiar chirping, whistling noise ; not a door could be left open, but in they walked. They 
kept the servants constantly on the alert : if one went to open the door, on turning round she 
found a Mooruk behind her ; for they seldom went together, generally wandering apart from 
each other. 
‘ ‘ If any attempt was made to turn them out by force, they would dart rapidly about the 
room, dodging about under the tables, chairs, and sofas, and then end by squatting down 
under a sofa or in a corner ; indeed, it was impossible to remove the bird, except by carrying 
it away. On attempting this, the long muscular legs would begin kicking and struggling, 
when it would soon get released, and politely walk out of its own accord. I found the best 
method was to entice them out as if you had something eatable in your hand, when they 
would follow the direction in which you wished to lead them. On the housemaid attempting 
to turn the bird out of one of the rooms, it kicked her and tore her dress. They walk into the 
stables among the horses, poking their bills into the manger. When writing in my study, a 
chirping, whistling noise is heard ; the door, which is ajar, is pushed open, and in walk the 
Mooruks, who quietly pace round the room inspecting everything, and then as peaceably go 
out again. 
“ Even in the very tame state of these birds, I have seen sufficient of them to know that, 
if they were loose in a wood, it would be impossible to catch them, and almost as difficult to 
shoot them. One day, when apparently frightened at something that occurred, I saw one of 
them scour round the yard at a swift pace, and disappear under the archway so rapidly that 
the eye could hardly follow it, upsetting all the poultry in its progress, as they could not get 
out of the way. The lower half of the stable door, about four feet high, was kept shut, to 
prevent them going in ; but this proved no obstacle, as it was easily leaped over by these birds. 
“They never appeared to take any notice of or be frightened at the jabiru, or gigantic 
crane, which was in the same yard, although that sedate, stately bird was not pleased at their 
intrusion. One day I observed the jabiru spreading his long wings, and clattering his beak, 
opposite one of the Mooruks, as if in ridicule of their wingless condition. The Mooruk, on 
the other hand, was preening its feathers, and spreading out its funny little apology for wings, 
as if proud of displaying the stiff, horny shafts with which they were adorned. The Mooruks 
often throw up all their feathers, ruffling them, and then they suddenly fall flat as before. 
Their wings aid them in running, but are never used for defence. Captain Devlin says, that 
the natives consider them to a certain degree sacred, and rear them as pets. He does not know 
whether they are used as food, but if so, not generally ; indeed, their shy disposition, and 
power of rapid running, darting through brake and bush, would almost preclude their capture. 
“The natives carry them in their arms, and entertain a great affection for them, which 
will account for their domesticated state with us. The noise of these birds, when in the yard, 
resembled that of the female turkey ; at other times, the peculiar chirping noise was accom- 
panied by a whistling sound, which often reminded me of the chirp of the Guinea fowl. The 
contrast of these birds with the jabiru, or gigantic crane ( Mycteria australis ), was very great. 
The Mooruks were sometimes seen moving about like the female turkey, but were more often 
in a state of rapid motion or excitement ; when walking quietly, they were verv inquisitive, 
poking their beaks into everything, and familiar with every person. The jabiru, on the other 
hand,, was a perfect picture of sedate quietness, looking upon all play as injurious to his con- 
stitution or derogatory to his dignity, remaining stiff in his gait and serious in his demeanor. 
The Mooruks, by their activity and noise, would let every one know they were in the yard, 
whereas no one would be aware of the presence of the jabiru except by sight ; and when he 
moves away, it is with a quiet sedate gait. 
“ The Mooruk has, when seen in full face, a fine eagle-like expression of countenance, 
having the same vivid, piercing eye and curved beak. The instant the Mooruk saw an egg 
laid by a hen, he darted upon it, and breaking the shell, devoured it immediately, as if he 
had been accustomed to eggs all his life. A servant was opening a cask of ale ; as soon as 
the birds heard the hammering, they both ran down to it, and remained there while it was 
