CASSOWARY (Casuarius), a genus of ostrich-like birds, only inferior in size to the emu and ostrich, and approximating to the extinct moas of New Zealand. The species is characterized by rudimentary wings, bearing four or five barbless shafts, a few inches long, and apparently useless; and by loosely webbed feathers, short on the neck, but of great length on the rump and back, whence they descend over the body, forming a thick hair like covering. They possess stout limbs, with which they kick, and have the inner toe armed with a long, powerful claw. The common cassowary (Casuarius galeatus) stands 5ft. high, and has a horny, helmet-like protuberance on the crown of its head ; the front of the neck is naked, with two brightly-coloured wattles. It is a native of the island of Ceram, where it lives in pairs, feeding on fruits and herbs, and occasionally on small animals. The mooruk, or Bennett's cassowary (Casuarius bennetti), is a shorter and more robust bird. It differs further in having its head crowned with a horny plate. It has only been found in New Britain. When captured shortly after being hatched, and reared by hand, it soon becomes tame. The adult bird is exceed ingly shy and, owing to its great fleetness and strength, is rarely caught. It eats voraciously, and, like the ostrich, will swallow whatever comes in its way. (See