lOO 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
Tlie oftrich fecms to fill one of thofc 
voids in nature, between the quadruped and 
feathered race, as the bat does another ; the 
former refemblingthe camel, in the fame pro- 
portion as the bat does the moufe. 
To the beauty of its plumage this bird 
owes its deftruclion. But in return, 'it tri- 
umphs over man ; for the feathers which its 
deatli affords the purfucrs, attend the hearfe 
of man to the grave. 
rhe CASSOWARY. 
T ms bird, which is found in the fouth- 
ern parts of the Eafi; Indies, is about five 
feet and a half high. The wings arefo final), 
as to be fcarcely perceptible. It has a creft 
on its head, refemblinga helmet, three inches 
high. Though every feather of this bird is 
adapted for flight, none are entirely deflined 
for covering. The extremities of them are 
armed with five fliaiqi prickles, the longeftof 
which is eleven inches. It is deferibed to 
liave the head of a warrior, the eye of a lion, 
defence of a porcupine, and lleetnefs of a 
courier. 15ut though provided thus formida- 
bly is perfeiStly inoffenlive. It neither 
walks, runs, hops, jumps, or flies ; but kick- 
in *- up one leg, behind, it bounds forward witli 
the other, with a velocity not to be equallerl 
by the fwiftefl Arabian. 'I'his 
