. Elements of zoology, or, Natural history of animals / ed. by Reese. Zoology. v I RSOKES -1'HK APTURYX. 189 bright blue and flame colour; it is furnished with wattles, like those of the turkey-cock, which change colour under the same circumstances. It lives on fruit and eggs, but not on grain. It is an inhabitant of the Indian archi- pelago, and is the largest-bodied of birds, next to the ostrich. 277. The dromaius, or emu, is a native of New Hol- land, and is closely allied to the cassowary; but its plum- age is more dense, from its feathers being more barbed. Its flesh resembles beef;
. Elements of zoology, or, Natural history of animals / ed. by Reese. Zoology. v I RSOKES -1'HK APTURYX. 189 bright blue and flame colour; it is furnished with wattles, like those of the turkey-cock, which change colour under the same circumstances. It lives on fruit and eggs, but not on grain. It is an inhabitant of the Indian archi- pelago, and is the largest-bodied of birds, next to the ostrich. 277. The dromaius, or emu, is a native of New Hol- land, and is closely allied to the cassowary; but its plum- age is more dense, from its feathers being more barbed. Its flesh resembles beef; and it is swifter in its movements than the fleetest greyhound. Either this or probably an allied species, formerly existed in New Zealand, as is proved by the remains of bones which have been found there; but it seems to have been extirpated by the natives. 278. The apteryx of New Zealand appears, of all birds, to have the wings reduced to the most simple rudiments; and it presents, at the same time, many points of approxi- mation to the Mammalia. It has a complete diaphragm,. The Apteryx. and no air-cells exist in its abdomen; nor are any of its bones hollow. The bill is long and slender ; the rudiments of wings are terminated by a sharp hook, which seems to be an important organ of defence ; the feet have three toes in front, and the rudiment of a fourth behind, the claw of which is alone externally visible. The size of this 327. Describe the structure of the cassowary. 328. What is the next genus, and its characteristics ?. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Reese, David Meredith, 1800-1861. New York : A. S. Barnes
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