CASSOWARY (Casuarius)  , a genus of struthious birds, only inferior in size to the emeu and ostrich, and, according to Sir R . Owen, approximating more closely than any other living birds to the extinct moas of New Zealand . The species are all characterized by short rudimentary wings, bearing four or five barbless shafts, a few inches long, and apparently useless for purposes of flight, of running, or of defence; 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 in front, and have the inner toe armed with a long powerful claw . The common cassowary (C'asuarius galeatus) stands 5 ft. high, and has a horny, helmet-like protuberance on the crown of its head; the front of the neck is naked and provided with two brightly-coloured wattles . It is a native of the Island of Ceram,463 where it is said to live in pairs, feeding on fruits and herbs, and occasionally on small animals . The mooruk, or Bennett's cassowary (Casuarius Bennettii), is a shorter and more robust bird, approaching in the thickness of its legs to the moas . It differs further from the preceding species in having its head crowned with a horny plate instead of a helmet . It has only been found in New Britain, where the natives are said to regard it with some degree of veneration . When captured by them shortly after being hatched, and reared by the hand, it soon becomes tame and familiar; all the specimens which have reached Europe alive have been thus domesticated by the natives . The adult bird in the wild state is exceedingly shy and difficult of approach, and, owing to its great fleetness and strength, is rarely if ever caught . It eats voraciously, and, like the ostrich, will swallow whatever comes in its way .