CASSOWARY

The cassowary is a large flightless bird confined to the Australian region, inhabiting densely wooded country. They generally keep to shady spots, emerging from cover only in the morning and evening and feed on fallen fruits, berries and some times also on insects. The cassowary can run with amazing speed leaping over obstacles as much as six feet high. In captivity they are almost omnivorous and become extremely tame. Old males become very fierce when cornered, kicking and striking with their beaks. Their plumage is used for making mats, rugs, head-ornaments, etc.