Part 43

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 SPOTTED EMU (_Dromæus irroratus_) is readily distinguished from the above birds by its comparatively slender build, weaker feet, longer toes, and the spots upon its plumage. This species differs from the _Dromæus Novæ-Hollandiæ_ in 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 the _D. 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."

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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 the _C. uniappendiculatus_ and _C. bicarunculatus_ is uncertain. We also know nothing of the _C. 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 HELMETED CASSOWARY (_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 in colour. 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 a wonderful 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.

"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 drive them 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 AUSTRALIAN CASSOWARY (_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.