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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 64

Cases 1 to 4

Cases 1 to 4

[unclear: maintain] the Struthious Birds, distinguished by their being tunable to fly, and by having the sternum or breast-bone flat. It is to this group that the Kiwi (apteryx) and page 14 Moa (Dinornis) belong. The Cassowary (Casunarous galestus) has a horny protuberance or helmet on its head. [unclear: The] wings are very short, and the wing feathers [unclear: represented] by a few stiff quills only. The feathers on the body [unclear: are] loose and hair-like, and two feathers or plumes come [unclear: out] of one shaft or quill. It will be noticed that the [unclear: young] bird is not so dark as the adult, and has the helmet quite small. The Cassowaries are found in New Guinea and the neighbouring Islands; New Britain, and North Australia. The Emu (Dromaius novœ-hollandiœ) is found only in Australia. Like the Cassowary, it has very short wings and two feathers from each quill, but the beak of a very different shape, and it has not got the long toe nail. A chick in the down is also exhibited. [unclear: The] or American Ostrich (Rhea americana) inhabits Patagorlis and La Plata. The feathers are more bushy, and there is only one from each quill. The feathers of the Rhex are used for ornament, but they are not so valuable as those of the African ostrich.