294 
STRUTHIONID®. 
DROMAIUS IRRORATUS, Bartlett. 
Spotted Emu. 
Gould, Handbk. BJs. Amt , Vol. ii., sp. 493, p. 204. 
This rather doubtful species is found in the north-western 
portion of the continent of Australia. A single egg of this bird 
in the Dobroyde Collection, taken at Alligator Creek, about one 
hundred miles south-west of Port Darwin, is finely pitted all over, 
and entirely without granulations, the surface of the shell being 
glossy and smooth, of a very dark green colour, almost approaching 
to black. Long diameter 5'3 inches ; short diameter 3'5 inches. 
Hab. Western Australia. 
Genus CASUARIS, Linnams. 
CASUARIS AUSTRALIS, Wall. 
Australian Cassowary. 
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Au t., Vol. ii., sp. 494, p. 206. 
Dr. Ramsay writing in 1876 on the birds of North-eastern 
Queensland, remarks as follows : — 
“ The Australian Cassowary is a denizen of the dense dark 
scrubs scattered over the district of Rockingham Bay, and 
extending as far north as the Endeavour River.” It vvas tolerably 
plentiful only a few years ago even in the neighbourhood of 
Cardwell; but since the advent of sugar-planters &c, on the 
Herbert River and adjacent creeks, these fine birds have been 
most ruthlessly shot down and destroyed for the sake of their skins 
several of which I saw used for hearth-rugs and door-mats. 
Formerly they were procured easily enough, but latterly so wary 
have they become, and their numbers so decreased, that it is only 
with the greatest amount of patience even a stray shot can be 
obtained. I know of no bird so wary and timid ; and although 
their fresh tracks may be plentiful enough, and easily found in 
the soft mud on the sides of the creeks, or under their favourite 
