. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. MOORUK.—C'«S!icin'«3 LcuiiHtii. defence. Captain Devlin says, that tlie natives consider thera '.'.> a certain degree sacred, and rear them as pets. He does not know whether they are used as food, but if so, not generally ; indeed, their shy disposition, and power of rapid running, darting through brake and 1)ush, would almost preclude their capture. The natives carry them in their arms, and entertain a great affection for them, whicli will account for their domesticated state us. Tlie
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. MOORUK.—C'«S!icin'«3 LcuiiHtii. defence. Captain Devlin says, that tlie natives consider thera '.'.> a certain degree sacred, and rear them as pets. He does not know whether they are used as food, but if so, not generally ; indeed, their shy disposition, and power of rapid running, darting through brake and 1)ush, would almost preclude their capture. The natives carry them in their arms, and entertain a great affection for them, whicli will account for their domesticated state us. Tlie noise of these birds, when in the yard, resembled that of the female turkey; at other times, the peculiar chirping noise was accompanied by a whistling sound, which often reminded me of the chirp of Ihe Guinea fowl. The contrast of these birds with the jabiru, or gigantic crane {Mycteria Austrdlis) was very great. The Mooruks were sometimes seen moving about like the female turkey^ but were more often in a state of rapid motion or excitement; when walking quietly, they were very incpiisitive, poking their beaks into everything, and familiar with ever) person Tlie jabiru, on the other hand, was a perfect picture of sedate quietness, looking upon all play as injurious to his constitution or derogatory to liis dignity, remaining stiff in his !,'ait and serious in his demeanour. The IMooruks, by their activity and noise, would let every one know they were in the yard, whereas no one would be aware of the presence of the jabiru except l)y sight; and when he moves away, it is with a quiet sedate gait. The jMooruk has, when seen in full face, a tine eagle-like expression of countenance liaviug the same vivid, i)iercing eye and curved beak. The instant the Mooruk saw aii ^'S laid by a hen, he darted \\\m\ it, and breaking the shell, devoured it immediately, as if he luul been accustomed to eggs all his life. A servant was opening a cask of ale : as soon as the birds iieard the hamm
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectnaturalhistory
