Chapter 20

AN OSTRICH HUNT.

NANDUS (Rhea Americana), WITH NEST AND EGGS.

The American Ostrich ranges south as far as forty-two or forty-three degrees; it is abundant on the plains of La Plata, and, according to Azara, is found in Paraguay. Mr. Darwin saw it within the first range of mountains on the Uspalluta Plain, at an elevation of six or seven thousand feet above the sea; but it does not cross the Cordilleras. At Bahia Blanca the latter observer repeatedly saw three or four come down at low water to the extensive mud-banks, which are then dry, for the sake, as the Gauchos say, of catching small fish. Although this Ostrich is in its habits so shy, wary, and solitary, and although so fleet in its pace, it falls a prey without much difficulty to the Indian or Gaucho, armed with thebolas. When several horsemen appear in a circle it becomes confounded, and does not know which way to escape; it prefers running against the wind, yet at the first start it expands its wings like a vessel that makes all sail. On one fine hot day Mr. Darwin saw several of these birds enter a bed of tall rushes, where they squatted concealed until closely approached.

In Patagonia, at the Bay of San Blas, and at Port Valdes, Mr. King several times saw Nandus swimming from island to island, a distance of about two hundred yards; they ran into the water, both when driven and of their own accord, and swam very slowly, with their necks extended a little forward, only a small part of their bodies appearing above the water. Mr. Darwin likewise on two occasions observed some of these Ostriches swimming across the Santa Cruz River, where it was about four hundred yards wide and its course rapid. The note of the male is described as being deep-toned and hissing, and so peculiar as rather to resemble the noise of some wild beast than the voice of any bird. At Bahia Blanca, in the months of September and October, the eggs of the Nandu were found in extraordinary numbers all over the country. They either lie scattered singly—in which case they are never hatched and are called by the Spaniardshuachos—or they are collected together into a shallow excavation which forms the nest. Out of four nests which Mr. Darwin saw, three contained twenty-two eggs each, and the fourth twenty-seven. In one day's hunting on horseback sixty-four eggs were found; forty-four of these were in two nests, and the remaining twenty were scattered huachos. The Gauchos unanimously affirm—and there is no reason to doubt their statement—that the male bird alone hatches the eggs, and for some time afterwards accompanies the young. The male when on the nest lies very close, and may almost be ridden over. It is asserted that at such times they are occasionally very fierce and even dangerous, and that they have been known to attack a man on horseback by trying to kick and leap on him. There can be little doubt that several females deposit their eggs in common; indeed, the Gauchos, says Darwin, "unanimously assert that four or five have been watched and actually seen to go, in the middle of the day, one after another to the same nest."

A family party of Nandus generally consists of a male and from five to seven females, who seem to have possession of a space of ground, from which all intruders in the shape of rivals are resolutely excluded; but when the breeding season is over, several of these families associate together, and it is not an uncommon occurrence to see sixty of them forming one large flock, but they seldom wander very far from their native place. In the autumn they seem to prefer the neighbourhood of streams and marshy ground, where they find fruit and berries, or they wander among the thistles first introduced by the Spaniards, but now extending over thousands of miles of fertile soil; while in the winter time they may be seen associating with cattle, sharing with them the long fine grass.

In swiftness the Nandu is but little behind its African representative. It can easily outrun and tire the best horse, not only by the swiftness of its pace, but by the wonderful skill with which it makes all sorts of windings and short cuts. The length of its usual step is stated by Böcking to be from twenty to four-and-twenty inches. When it raises its outstretched wings but still goes leisurely along, its stride is about three feet and a half; but if pursued and going at full speed each step covers at least five feet, and the movements of its legs are so rapid that it is impossible to count its footsteps. Often duringthe chase it will suddenly dart off from its direct course, with one wing elevated and the other depressed, at an angle of twenty-five or thirty degrees, and then with fierce speed resume its former direction, springing over ditches or fissures twenty feet across with the utmost ease; but it carefully avoids steep ascents, as over such it makes its way with difficulty.

During the rainy season these birds live principally upon clover, combined with such insects as happen to fall in their way. At a later period they frequent the plains where cattle graze, and feed almost exclusively upon grass; they show, nevertheless, a decided preference for the more nutritious vegetables imported from Europe, and often do considerable damage in the kitchen gardens of the settlers. Their presence, however, is by no means devoid of utility. One of their favourite articles of food consists of the unripe seeds of a plant somewhat resembling the burdock, which, owing to its abundance in some localities, is a serious detriment to the cattle-breeder, seeing that the burrs which it produces get entangled in the manes and tails of horses, or the fleeces of sheep, in which latter case they render the wool absolutely useless, by causing it to become as it were felted into inextricable knots and tangles, and indeed not unfrequently leading to the death of the animal, by producing sores that soon swarm with maggots, and occasion intolerable irritation. Whoever has examined the contents of the stomach of a Nandu, in the month of December, will have some idea of the quantity of these seeds that are thus devoured, and acknowledge that, were it only on account of the services thus rendered to the farmer, the Nandus deserve all the protection which they already enjoy at the hands of intelligent cattle-breeders. At all times of the year, and at all ages, they feed indiscriminately on a great variety of insects, and as the Guachos assert, also upon snakes and other reptiles. Like our Barn-door Fowls, they swallow quantities of small stones to facilitate the process of digestion. They drink but seldom, the moisture derived from dew and rain appearing to satisfy their ordinary wants; nevertheless, when they come to a pond, they may be seen to indulge in a draught, very much after the manner of chickens, scooping up the water with their beaks, and then holding their necks outstretched, and thus allowing it to trickle down their throats.

In the beginning of spring, which in the southern hemisphere is about the month of October, those males which have attained the age of two years, collect around them a seraglio of hen-birds, varying in number from three to seven or more, and immediately begin to drive all rivals from their vicinity, by formidable blows inflicted with their beak and wings. They then at once begin their courtship, by performing, apparently for the gratification of their mates, a remarkable sort of dance; with wings outspread and trailing upon the ground, they stalk hither and thither, or suddenly breaking into a run, dart forward with great speed, beating the air with their wings, and then checking their career, strut about, bowing to the female with ludicrous assumption of dignity, and recommence the same performance. During this exhibition the male invariably gives utterance to a loud bellowing noise, and manifests every indication of being in a state of great excitement. When in their native wilds, the courage and pugnacity which they display at this season is of course expended on their rivals, but when in captivity their anger seems to extend to intruders of every description. Visitors and even their keepers must beware of the formidable blows inflicted with their hard beaks, or sometimes with their feet, as they kick much in the same manner as the African Ostrich. For a very interesting account of the proceedings of these birds during incubation we are indebted to Bodinus. In the case of a pair which bred in the Zoological Gardens of Cologne, he observed that the male, upon whom alone devolves the duty of preparing a nest, did so by continually moving about while sitting in a particular spot, until at length, without any scratching or removal of the soil, a cavity was formed in which the nest, consisting of a little dried grass, roughly arranged, was placed. The female takes no share whatever in the preparation of the nest. In the Pampas, before brooding time, which begins there about the middle of December, solitary eggs, called by the natives "foundlings," areeverywhere to be met with; they seem to be produced by females obliged to lay before the male has been able to make preparations for their reception. The nest is generally a shallow excavation in some dry spot of ground beyond the reach of inundation, and usually so placed as to be concealed by thistles and long grass. A very favourable locality is in holes made by the wild cattle, who use them as a kind of dust-bed, wherein they shelter themselves against the attacks of insects, until they have worn them so deep as to be larger than convenient for themselves, but exactly suited to the requirements of the male Nandu. Should, however, no such ready-made excavation present itself, the bird must perforce undertake the necessary labour of clearing a space of ground of the overgrowing vegetation, lining it scantily with dried grass, a ring of which material always surrounds the margin, and thus preparing it for the reception of the eggs. The number of eggs laid by each female has been a subject of much dispute. Azara relates that at times seventy or eighty eggs have been found in a single nest, while Darwin gives forty or fifty as the greatest number. Böcking tells us, on the authority of the Guachos, that fifty eggs have been met with, although he himself never saw more than twenty-three, and gives from thirteen to seventeen as an average number from all the nests he examined. The eggs themselves appear to be very variable in size, some being not much larger than those of a Goose, while others measure five inches in length. Around the nest, in a space extending from its margin to a distance of fifty paces, "foundlings" are always to be met with, and these appear to be fresher than the eggs within the nest. The colour of the eggs is a dull yellowish white, marked with small, greenish yellow dots, placed around the large pores. If exposed to the sun, these colours rapidly fade, insomuch that after a week's exposure the egg-shells are all snow-white.

As soon as the nest has received its full complement, the male alone undertakes the duties of incubation, the hens all retiring to a distance; nevertheless, they generally keep together, and always remain within the territory previously claimed by the master of the family. During the night, and until the morning dew has been dried up, the male never leaves his place upon the nest, but in the daytime he allows himself greater liberty, and may be seen feeding at irregular intervals, that depend upon the brightness of the sky or the temperature of the weather. Towards the commencement of incubation the male Nandu appears rather careless of his charge, and upon the slightest alarm will leave his nest until the danger is past; but at a later period he broods very assiduously, and will sometimes sit still till he is nearly ridden over, springing up suddenly, immediately before the unwary traveller, often frightening a spirited horse, and putting his rider in great danger. Neither does the brood always escape the consequences of such precipitancy, some of the eggs being frequently trodden upon and crushed, or kicked out of the nest by the frantic bird. The affection of the male Nandu for his offspring is, however, more conspicuously visible when a traveller approaches his brooding-place in a more leisurely manner. On such occasions the anxious parent hastens to meet the intruder, with wings outspread and ruffled feathers, limping slowly along and staggering in a zigzag course, using every endeavour to divert the attention of the stranger from the real cause of anxiety.

Although the sitting Nandu is by no means fond of visitors, he will not desert the eggs so long as his nest is not actually disturbed, and has even been known to continue sitting upon the residue after some of the eggs have been taken away. In South America the young Nandus make their appearance from the egg-shell about the beginning of February. Their growth is surprisingly rapid, insomuch, indeed, that chicks of a fortnight old are already a foot and a half high. Even on the third or fourth day after they are hatched it would be difficult for a man to overtake them in running, were it not that when hotly pursued, young birds have a habit of falling flat upon the ground, where they easily escape observation. For about five weeks they follow their father only, but the female parents gradually join the party until the family is complete. By the arrival of autumn,i.e., in April or May, the young birds have exchanged their first clothing of down for a suit of dirty, yellowish grey feathers.

THE TRUE NANDU, OR AMERICAN OSTRICH (Rhea Americana).

In addition to the all-reaching destructiveness of mankind, the great enemy to the Nandus is fire. About the time when these birds are beginning to breed, the herdsmen are in the habit of taking advantage of a high wind, for the purpose of burning the long dry grass upon the vast steppes or prairies, in order to clear them from the last year's straw. Before such a fire as is thus kindled all living beings can only take refuge in the low-lying and wettest portions of the country, and innumerable animals suffer a cruel death. On these occasions the inhabitants of the district collect as a great prize all the Nandus' eggs upon which they can lay their hands. One of these eggs indeed is worth about fifteen Hens' eggs, and is with the natives a very favourite dish. To prepare them, the narrow end is broken open, the white, which is said to have a disagreeable taste, is thrown away, and then having added a little butter, salt, and pepper, the yolk is cooked by being stirred over the fire, using the egg-shell as a saucepan. To boil one of these eggs hard in European fashion, requires forty minutes. They are excellent for all culinary purposes, but unfortunately will not keep. The flesh of the Nandu much resembles horse-flesh in its colour, nevertheless the old birds are a favourite dish among the Indians, while the young are not distasteful even to European palates; they likewise afford a rich supply of oily, semi-fluid fat, which while fresh is much esteemed, and used like butter. Unfortunately, however, it soon becomes rancid, and is then only useful for softening leather; and even for this purpose, in a country so abounding in hides, it is not of much value. Out of the skin covering the neck the Gauchos are in the habit of manufacturing small bags, suitable for many domestic articles, while from the flexible shafts of the feathers, boys construct springes with which they catch water-fowl. The full-grown feathers of the mature bird are likewise used as ornaments to the harness of horses, or are woven into very beautiful rugs, the patterns of which are extremely elegant and varied. Feathers of inferior value are made into bunches for dusting furniture, while the best and largest afford plumes scarcely inferior to those of the Ostrich.

Böcking estimates the duration of the life of the Nandu at fourteen or fifteen years, and believes that many of them die from sheer old age, inasmuch as he has observed individuals (especially in the winter season) at the point of death, but exhibiting no external injury or internal lesion to account for their condition.

With the exception of mankind, these gigantic and swift-footed birds indeed might seem to enjoy an immunity from the attacks of any ordinary assailants. Sometimes the adult may be surprised by a prowling jaguar, or an Eagle may swoop upon the young, and by chance carry off a victim, but such accidents would seem to be of rare occurrence. Perhaps among the most inveterate of their foes are the Spurred Lapwings (Hoplopterus spinosus), whose animosity against these giants of the prairie is positively ludicrous. No sooner does a Nandu approach a pair of these little birds than they set up an intolerable screeching, like Crows on the appearance of a Hawk; they strike at him with their wings, and by the pertinacity of their attacks generally make him glad to get away from such contemptible assailants, who valorously follow him for a little distance, and return with every demonstration of triumph.

The chase of the Rhea is a very favourite exercise. The Indians and the Gauchos hunt them on horseback, kill them with thebolas, or course them with dogs bred for the purpose; indulging in this sport not so much for the sake of the booty as for the purpose of testing the swiftness and endurance of their noble horses, and their own skill in throwing the bolas or the lasso. When a hunting party is announced, numerous well-mounted horsemen assemble, and taking advantage of the wind, approach the birds as closely as they can, at a slow pace, until the moment when the Nandus begin to run, which is the signal for man and horse to exert themselves to the uttermost, and at length an individual is singled out and separated from the flock as the special object of attack. In spite of the swiftness of the poor bird, the Gauchos are soon close at his heels, and the horseman who happens to gainthe left side throws his bolas at the devoted victim, which an instant afterwards falls to the ground a mere shapeless mass of feathers, and rolls over killed by the momentum of its own career.

Should the first horseman miss his aim another immediately takes his place, and launches from his hand the terrible weapon. This is repeated by successive riders, until the game is either brought down, or succeeds in reaching some swamp, where the horses are unable to follow.

The name of Nandu is an imitation of the cry of the male during the breeding season. After pairing-time is over the tones are very different, and not easily described. In the neighbourhood of the peaceful settlers who leave them undisturbed, the Nandus become so tame and trustful, that they may be seen associating with tethered horses and milch-cows; indeed, they may be looked upon as half domesticated, as they carelessly graze among the cattle, and scarcely stir out of the way either of dogs or man. Nevertheless, no sooner do they see the Gaucho, who hunts them, than away they go, using every effort to escape, and displaying considerable cunning in avoiding the observation of their enemy. The appearance of a party of Indians puts them into an indescribable state of alarm; they will fly before them for hours together, and even horses and herds of cattle seem to share their dismay and accompany their flight; but if the hunter, creeping upon his hands against the wind, manages to get near a flock of Nandus and, lying flat down, waves a pocket-handkerchief, the curiosity of the birds is at once excited and gradually gets the better of their fear, until the whole flock with their male leader at their head, with outstretched neck approaches within gunshot of their wily enemy. To kill the Nandu with a gun, however, requires a good marksman, as these birds are hard to kill, and will often run a long way after receiving a ball. Should a flock of them be beguiled in the way we have just described and one of them fall and begin to struggle, the rest immediately come to its assistance with most ridiculous gestures, as if they had St. Vitus' dance in their legs and wings, and thus the sportsman is enabled to have a second shot. The report of the gun, moreover, does not frighten them, for if it misses they will come still nearer, as if to satisfy themselves as to what may be the meaning of so much noise. A wounded Nandu follows his companions as far as he can, and when exhausted, steps on one side and is left to his fate. In South America these birds are everywhere to be seen in a state of semi-domestication, having been caught when young, and are allowed to run about without restraint; they seem so much attached to the locality where they have been reared, that towards evening they always come home of their own accord. The Nandu is very generally met with in European zoological gardens, where it requires less attention than any others of the Ostrich race, and provided it has enough to eat, is content with the simplest diet. Moreover, it seems quite able to bear the vicissitudes of climate, and might at least become an ornament to our parks, even were it useless for any other purpose.

THE LONG-BILLED NANDU.

The LONG-BILLEDNANDU(Rhea macrorhyncha) is distinguished from the species above described by its dark brown plumage, which on the lower neck is nearly black, and on the upper neck of a whitish grey colour.

THE DWARF NANDU.

The DWARFNANDU(Rhea Darwinii) is smaller than the preceding; its plumage is principally of a light brownish grey, each feather being enlivened by a whitish edge. This species, which is named after Mr. Darwin, was first heard of by him in North Patagonia, where it is called theavestruy petise. The eggs were well known to the Indians, who described them as being a little smaller than those of the Common Rhea, but of a slightly different form, and of a blue tinge. Several of these birds were met with at Santa Cruz in parties of four or five, or in pairs. Unlike the more northern species, they did not spread their wings when starting at full speed.

THE EMU (Dromæus Novæ Hollandiæ).

The EMUS (Dromæus), a group of strange and interesting birds inhabiting Australia, form as it were the connecting link between the Ostrich and the Cassowary, nearly resembling the former in their general appearance, but differing from it in the comparative shortness of their legs and neck, and the less prominent development of the hinder parts of the body. The beak is straight, compressed at its sides, round at its extremity, and furnished with a ridge at its culmen; the large nostrils are covered with a skin and situated in the centre of the bill. The wings and tail are but slightly developed, the strong legs are covered with scales, and the foot furnished with three toes armed with powerful claws. At a distance the plumage somewhat resembles hair, the webs of the feathers being all loose and separate; as is the case with the Ostrich, they take their origin by pairs from the same shaft. The wings are clothed with feathers exactly resembling those of the back, which divide from a middle line and fall gracefully over on either side. The entire plumage is of a dull brown, mottled with dirty grey; the feathers on the head and neck becoming gradually shorter,and so thinly placed, that the purplish hue of the skin of the throat and a patch round the ears is perfectly visible. The sexes differ but little in size, and are alike in colour. We have to thank Dr. Bennett for the first full account of these remarkable birds, drawn from observation of several kept about his own house. With their life in a wild state we are unfortunately but little acquainted, except that they frequent the open plains in large flocks, and are especially numerous about Botany Bay and Port Jackson.

THE EMU.

The EMU(Dromæus Novæ-Hollandiæ) is larger than the Nandu, but inferior in size to the Ostrich, its height usually not exceeding six feet. Australian hunters have occasionally killed specimens measuring seven feet to the crown of the head. The coloration of the plumage is principally of a uniform pale brown, of a darker shade on the head, throat, and centre of the back, and paler on the under side. The eye is light brown, the beak horn-grey, and the foot pale brown; the bare parts of the face are of a greyish tinge.

This bird is much valued on account of the clear, bright yellow oil extracted from it. This is obtained by boiling, and employed both for burning and as an excellent liniment in gouty cases.

Dr. Bennett informs us that the natives regard the flesh as a highly luscious treat when cooked with the skin on, and that the fibula or small bone of the leg is employed by them as an ornament.

The flesh of the Emu, according to Mr. Cunningham, resembles beef "both in appearance and taste, and is good and sweet eating; nothing indeed can be more delicate than the flesh of the young. There is, however, but little of it fit for culinary use upon any part except the hind-quarters, which are of such dimensions that the shouldering of two hind legs homewards for a mile's distance proved," he says, "as tiresome a task as he ever encountered in the colony."

Dr. Leichardt "found the flesh of these birds of the greatest service during his overland route from Moreton Bay to Port Essington," in the course of which, but more particularly between the head of the Gulf of Carpentaria and Port Essington, the sight and capture of Emus was almost a daily occurrence; so abundant, in fact, were they, that he saw in the short space of eight miles at least one hundred, in flocks of three, five, ten, and even more at a time. Some curious practices exist with respect to this bird among the natives, and young men and boys are not allowed to feed upon it. The note of the Emu is a low, booming or pumping noise, which is produced in the female by means of the expansion and contraction of a large membranous bag, surrounding an oblong opening through the rings of the trachea; whether this peculiarity of structure is to be found in the male, we are not aware. The Emus pair with tolerable constancy, and the male bird appears to take a large share in the task of incubation. The eggs, which are merely placed in a cavity scooped in a sandy soil, are six or seven in number, and of a beautiful dark green, resembling shagreen in appearance; they are five inches and three-quarters long, by three inches and three-quarters in breadth. The eggs are held in much esteem by the natives, who feed upon them whenever they can be procured.

The nest of the Emu is situated, as we are informed by Dr. Bennett, in a scrub upon the hills, where a space is scraped, similar to those formed by brooding hens. The sticks and leaves, which alone compose the nest, are laid round the cleared spot, and here the eggs are deposited without regard to regularity, the number varying from nine to thirteen. It is a curious circumstance that there is always an odd number. It is now ascertained beyond a doubt that the eggs are hatched by incubation, and not, as was once supposed, by solar heat. They are of large size, and of a beautiful blueish green colour.

THE SPOTTED EMU.

The SPOTTEDEMU(Dromæus irroratus) is readily distinguished from the above birds by itscomparatively slender build, weaker feet, longer toes, and the spots upon its plumage. This species differs from theDromæus Novæ-Hollandiæin having the whole of the body-feathers distinctly marked with narrow transverse bars of light grey and brownish black; the feathers on the back and sides are broader, longer, and less silky in texture than those of the common kind, the latter difference being quite evident to the touch. The upper part of the body and the neck are nearly black, and the feathers appear thicker than those on the same parts in the other species. "Having seen," says Mr. Gould, "adult and youthful examples of this Emu, all bearing the characters which suggested its specific name, I have no doubt of its being distinct from theD. Novæ-Hollandiæ. I am almost equally certain that it is confined to the western division of Australia, and that it represents there the Emu of the eastern coast. Whether the two species incubate in South Australia, and if the present bird extends its range to north and north-west, future research must determine."

The CASSOWARIES (Casuarii) are distinguishable from the group above described by their compact body, short thick neck, low but powerful legs, as also by the helmet that adorns their head, the peculiarity of their plumage, and the formation of their beak and toes. In these birds the bill is straight, compressed at its sides, arched at its culmen, slightly hooked at its tip, and incised at both margins; the small, oval-shaped nostrils are situated at the extremity, and the elevated, compressed helmet at the base of the beak; the neck, which is bare and brightly coloured on its upper portion, is furnished with either one or two lappets; the wings consist of five strong, unwebbed, and rounded shafts; the tail is not developed; the long robust tarsi are covered with hexagonal scales except near the toes, where the scales are transverse. The lateral toes are longer than the middle one, and the outer toe longest of all; the claws are moderate and blunt, that on the centre toe very long and powerful. The plumage resembles hair rather than feathers, the webs being disunited and streaming. Five, or according to Gould six, species of these remarkable birds have been discovered, but with three of them we are almost entirely unacquainted; even the habitat of theC. uniappendiculatusandC. bicarunculatusis uncertain. We also know nothing of theC. Kaupii, the type of the race, except that it was found by Rosenberg in New Guinea, and called by him after Kaup the naturalist.

THE HELMETED CASSOWARY.

The HELMETEDCASSOWARY(Casuarius galeatus) is principally black, the face greenish blue, and the back of the head grey; the front of the neck is violet, its sides blue, and its hinder portion bright red. The eye is reddish brown, the beak black, and the foot greyish yellow. The plumage of the young has a brownish tinge; the habitat of this species appears to be confined to the forests on the island of Ceram, where it was discovered by the Dutch traveller, Forster. We are almost entirely ignorant of the habits of these strange birds in their native wilds.

THE MOORUK.

The MOORUK(Casuarius Bennettii). The Mooruk is considerably smaller and shorter than the Cassowary, and has much thicker legs. The helmet rises high at the base and then branches out into two overhanging lobes, the horny part which unites them being lowest in the centre. The back part of this elevated crest is flat, and rises rather obliquely from the head near the occiput. A specimen sent to England by Dr. Bennett, when it first arrived, was rufous mixed with black on the back and under part of the body, and raven-black about the neck and breast; the loose wavy skin of the neck was beautifully coloured with iridescent tints of blueish purple, pink, and an occasional shade of green; and the feet and legs were of a pale ash-colour. It afterwards became generally darker, the bare skin of the fore part of the neck of a more uniform smalt-blue, and the legs somewhat darker incolour. The large strong feet and legs exhibit a remarkable peculiarity in the extremity of the claw of the inner toe, it being nearly three times as large as the other claws. The horny plate on the top of the head resembles mother-of-pearl darkened with blacklead. The form of the bill differs considerably from that of the Emu (Dromæus Novæ-Hollandiæ), being longer and more curved, with a black and leathery cere. Behind the horny head-plate rises a small tuft of black, hair-like feathers which are continued in greater or less number over most parts of the neck.

The Mooruk, according to Gould, lives exclusively in the gullies and humid parts of dense forests, and feeds upon the roots of ferns and plants peculiar to such situations. The first specimen ever seen in Europe was purchased by Dr. George Bennett, so well known from his contributions to science, and sent by him to the Zoological Society of London. The bird was obtained at a native village lying at the foot of two hills, called by navigators the "Mother and Daughter," and situated on that part of the coast of New Britain lying between Cape Palliser and Cape Stephen. In 1858 Dr. Bennett purchased two other specimens brought to Sydney by Captain Devlin, who bought them in New Britain and had had them in his possession for eight months. According to the statement of that gentleman, the natives of that part capture them when very young and rear them by hand. The adults it is impossible to make prisoners, as they are remarkably swift and possess great strength in the legs; on the least alarm they at once dart into thick brushwood, where no human being could follow them, and disappear like magic. We can do no better than give our readers the benefit of Bennett's own graphic and circumstantial account of this Cassowary, which he alone has been at the trouble of training and closely observing:—"My birds," says that naturalist, "when placed in the yard walked about as tame as Turkeys. They approached any one who came into the yard, pecking the hand as if desirous of being fed, and were very docile. They began by pecking at a bone, 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 that they fed better out of a dish than from the ground—no doubt having been early accustomed to be fed in that manner. They were as familiar as if born and bred among us for years, and did not require time to reconcile them to their new situation, but became sociable and quite at home at once. We found them next day rather too tame, or like spoilt pets, too often in the way. One or both of them would walk into the kitchen, and while one was dodging under the tables and chairs, the other would leap upon the table, keeping the cook in a state of excitement; or they would be heard chirping in the hall, or walk into the library in search of food or information, or walk upstairs, and then be quickly seen descending again, making their peculiar chirping, whistling noise; not a door could be left open but in they walked, familiar with all. They kept the servants constantly on the alert; if one of them went to open a door, on turning round she found a Mooruk behind her, for they seldom went together, but generally wandered apart from each other; if any attempt were made to turn them out by force, they would dart rapidly round the room, dodging about under the tables, chairs, and sofas, and then end by squatting down under a sofa or in a corner, so that it was impossible to remove the bird except by carrying it away; on attempting this, the long, powerful muscular legs would begin kicking and struggling and soon get released, when it would 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. The house-maid attempting to turn the bird out of one of the rooms, it gave her a kick and tore her dress. They walked into the stable 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. If any attempt is made to turn them out, they leap, dart about, and exhibit awonderful rapidity of movement, which no one would suppose possible from their quiet gait and manner at other times. 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 speedily disappear under the archway so rapidly that the eye could hardly follow it, upsetting in its progress all the poultry that 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. They never appeared to take any notice of, or to 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. Having had these birds for a considerable time in my possession," continues Dr. Bennett, "I had ample opportunity of hearing all their cries. I never heard them utter a sound like 'Mooruk,' and am inclined to consider that the name signifies in the native language 'swift,' resembling closely the Malay term 'amuck,' or mad career, and the extraordinarily rapid motions of these birds rather confirm my idea on this subject.

HELMETED CASSOWARY (Casuarius galeatus).

"The chirping sounds of the Mooruk are very peculiar, being modulated according to the urgency of their wants and desires. Sometimes these notes are varied, as if speaking—at one time they are mild, at another very vehement, then rising to a higher and more rapid chirp as if scolding, afterwards becoming plaintive, as if beseeching for something; again loud and rapid, as if impatient at delay; indeed, at a little distance, this modulation of the chirping notes seems as if the birds were holding a conversation, and has a very singular effect. One morning I observed the female Mooruk rolling in the yard upon its back with the feet uppermost, when it suddenly started up, leaping and racing round the enclosure, chirping all the while, kicking the trees and posts, elongating and drawing itself up to its greatest height, then running round the trees and often coming with such violence against them, and kicking so high with both its legs at the same time as to tumble on its back, so that I feared it was seriously hurt, but it rose again and ran about, not having received the least injury. She thus continued kicking and running, all the while keeping in an erect position, until she was apparently exhausted, and then, with open bill and panting, very quietly resumed her tranquil walk about the yard, picking about as usual, as if nothing had happened to disturb her former tranquillity. On the afternoon of the same day the male bird had one of these running and kicking freaks, racing about the yard and attacking any person or fowl who ran away from him; he had a chase after a consequential Bantam Cock, and endeavoured to trample the poor thing under-foot, much to the dismay and horror of this important bird; but I remarked that although he rushed and kicked violently against the trees and had many falls, yet he had a method in his actions—judging from the care he took not to come in contact with the Jabiru, of whom he appeared to entertain a very wholesome dread. Whether he had a natural respect for the bird on account of his serious deportment, or whether it was the formidable, sword-like beak he dreaded, I know not, but when in his most rapid and mad career he approached the Jabiru, he always contrived to avoid him. He seemed to select the fowls, and dispersed them in all directions over the yard. All these wild actions would continue for about half an hour, when he would commence pecking about, and remain as quiet as before.

"One morning when the male bird was in one of these racing humours, some strange fowls wandered into the yard; he immediately attacked them, and did not cease until he had fairly kicked them out, trying also to trample them under foot, and uttering at the same time a peculiar, blowing, snorting, and hissing sound, which I observe is only expressed when he is serious in his attacks. It is curious that he appeared to know our fowls; for although he chased them, he never tried to drivethem out of the yard, which he invariably did with the strange poultry. The Bantam Cock was on the top of the wall, out of reach, viewing the kicking scene below among his hens with the greatest astonishment. The Bantam and his hens were not our property, but were tenants next door, and the Mooruk therefore considered himself justified in turning them out. It is common, however, at other times to see our poultry and the Mooruks on the most amiable terms, scraping together, and feeding on the dunghill and in the yard." So extraordinary is the voracity of these strange birds, that no object, however impossible of digestion, comes amiss to them. Dr. Bennett's account of the annoyance his captives gave by indulging this propensity is too amusing to be curtailed.

"The instant the Mooruk saw an egg laid by a hen, he darted upon it, and, breaking the shell, devoured it as if he had been accustomed to eggs all his life. A servant was unpacking a cask; as soon as the birds heard the noise they both ran down to it, and remained there whilst it was unpacked, squatting down on each side most intently watching the process, and occasionally pecking at the straw and contents. When the carpenter was in the yard making some alterations in their cage, previous to their voyage to England, it was very amusing to see them squat down upon their tarsi like dogs, watching the man with the greatest apparent interest in all his actions, enjoying the hammering noise, and occasionally picking up a nail, which was not in this instance swallowed, but again dropped. One of them, however, bolted the oilstone, which so alarmed the man lest the bird had committed suicide, that he hurried to me and informed me of the circumstance, when, to his surprise, I told him if he did not take care they would also swallow his hammer, nails, and chisels. The birds kept close to the man until he left for dinner, resuming their position near him as soon as he returned to work, and not leaving him till he had finished. One morning the male Mooruk was missing, and was found in the bedroom upstairs drinking out of the water-jug. The same bird swallowed a bung-cork which measured one inch and a half in diameter—indeed, both seemed to swallow anything, from butter and eggs to iron bolts, nails, and stones. The servant was starching some muslin cuffs, and having completed one and hung it up to dry, she was about to finish the other, when hearing the bell ring, she squeezed up the cuff, threw it into the starch, and attended to the summons. On her return the cuff was gone, and she could not imagine who had taken it during her brief absence, when she discovered that the Mooruk was the thief, its beak and head being covered with starch. Notwithstanding this propensity to swallow every variety of object, the digestive power of these birds is by no means strong, even such food as unboiled grain or raw potato being rejected whole from the stomach."

Dr. Bennett's male Mooruk measured three feet two inches to the top of the head, and the female three feet. An egg presented by that gentleman to Mr. Gould was five inches and a half long by three and a half broad, the shell a pale buff, covered with pale green corrugations. Another egg, laid in the Gardens of the Zoological Society, was pale grass-green, much smoother, and more finely granulated than that of the Common Cassowary; it measured six inches by nearly four, and weighed twenty-two ounces and a half. The pair of Mooruks whose habits are above described bred in the London Zoological Gardens. According to Dr. Sclater, the incubation lasted seven weeks, the male alone brooding. A single young one was hatched, which was unfortunately destroyed the same day by rats. In 1866 the parents were more successful, and the scientific were delighted with the sight of a young Mooruk hatched in captivity. This pretty and interesting little creature was covered with light, yellowish brown down, and striped with dark brown on its body and legs. The first day of its quitting the shell it could scarcely walk, but on the second used its legs readily, and uttered a cry somewhat resembling that of a chicken. The father, who alone had brooded, at once undertook entire charge of his little treasure, leading it about with the utmost care, guiding it to pick up the food thrown down for it, and at night allowing it to nestle beneath his plumage.

THE AUSTRALIAN CASSOWARY.

The AUSTRALIANCASSOWARY(Casuarius Australis). This bird stands about five feet high; the head is without feathers, but covered with a blue skin. Like the Emu, it is almost wingless, its wings being mere rudiments. The body is thickly enveloped in dark brown wiry feathers; on the head is a large prominence, or helmet, of bright red colour, and to the neck are attached, like so many bells, six or eight round fleshy balls, of bright blue and scarlet, which give the bird a very beautiful appearance.

This Cassowary has never been brought to Europe, only one specimen having been until recently obtained, which unluckily was lost shortly after its capture. A communication from P. A. Eagle, Esq., with which we have been kindly favoured, will best explain the importance attached by scientific men to the discovery of this Australian species.

"Compared with Asia," says Mr. Eagle, "Australia presents the greatest contrast in its natural productions to be found between any two zoological regions of the earth; and yet the line which separates these two great provinces actually passes between two of the islands forming part of the great volcanic chain running from Sumatra to Timor, namely, the island of Bali on the west, and Lombock on the east, separated from each other by no more than fifteen miles; so that within a two hours' sail, without losing sight of land, you pass from Bali, full of Fruit Thrushes, Woodpeckers, and the general ornithology of Asia, to Lombock, where the Cockatoos, Honey-eaters, Brush Turkeys, and other members of the Australian fauna, appear suddenly in full force. The forests of Australia are destroyed by myriads of timber-boring larvæ of various insects; but on the whole area there is not to be found a single Woodpecker, or any bird to do its office; yet, in the same latitudes, in any other part of the world, Woodpeckers occur in special kinds for each great district in abundance, wherever forest trees grow, their function being to pick out those timber-eating larvæ from the wood. The entire absence of the whole family of True Pheasants and Vultures, found in numbers in any other great region of the earth, is also a striking negative character of the ornithology of Australia; whilst its innumerable Honey-eaters, Cockatoos, and Brush-tongued Lories, found in no other region, give to it an equally marked positive character.

"The very deep sea surrounding Ceram, and other islands which constitute the appendages, as it were, of Asia on one side and Australia on the other, suggests a curious problem to the naturalist as to how they got their inhabitants. Great interest, therefore, attaches to the recent discovery of a Cassowary in Australia, as yet only imperfectly known, and so nearly related to the Cassowary of Ceram that doubts have been expressed as to their distinctness. They are both incapable of flight, the wings being represented by five or six bare, cylindrical, pointed quills, like those of a porcupine, and, consequently, the bird could not fly nor pass from one island to another. TheCasuarius Australiswas first indicated by Mr. Wall, the naturalist to Kennedy's expedition, who shot a specimen in a gully at Cape York, and a notice of it appeared in 1854 in a Sydney paper; but, as the specimen was lost, much doubt existed as to the species. A bunch of feathers taken from a native hut on the Upper Burdekin, and sent to Dr. Sclater in 1866, again drew attention to the probability of a species of Cassowary inhabiting Australia, but still there was no evidence of the species. In June, 1868, a specimen reached the Zoological Society of London; and Dr. Sclater states that although he had not compared it with the Cassowary of Ceram, it seemed to differ—first, in the form of the crest; secondly, in having thicker tarsi, and the long straight claw of the inner toe more developed; thirdly, by the cobalt-blue colour of the naked skin of the neck and throat. Very recently, however, a young specimen, about two feet long, has been presented to the National Museum of Melbourne, which establishes the fact that it is truly distinct as a species from the so-called IndianCassowary, and "apparently peculiar to Australia, or at any rate affords no support to the theory of the former union of Australia with the northern islands."

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