This is a species differing in many particulars from that generally known, and is a much larger bird, standing higher on its legs, and having the neck longer than in the common one.  Total length seven feet two inches.  The bill is not greatly different from that of the common Cassowary; but the horny appendage, or helmet on the top of the head, in this species is totally wanting:  the whole of the head and neck is also covered with feathers, except the throat and fore part of the neck about half way, which are not so well feathered as the rest; whereas in the common Cassowary, the head and neck are bare and carunculated as in the turkey.

The plumage in general consists of a mixture of brown and grey, and the feathers are somewhat curled or bent at the ends in the natural state:  the wings are so very short as to be totally useless for flight, and indeed, are scarcely to be distinguished from the rest of the plumage, were it not for their standing out a little.  The long spines which are seen in the wings of the common sort, are in this not observable,—­nor is there any appearance of a tail.  The legs are stout, formed much as in the Galeated Cassowary, with the addition of their being jagged or sawed the whole of their length at the back part.

This bird is not uncommon in New Holland, as several of them have been seen about Botany Bay, and other parts.  The one from which the plate was taken, was shot within two miles of the settlement at Sydney Cove, and the drawing made on the spot by Lieutenant Watts.  The skin being sent over to England in spirits, has been put into attitude, and is now the property of Sir Joseph Banks, to whom it was presented by Lord Sydney.  Although this bird cannot fly, it runs so swiftly, that a greyhound can scarcely overtake it.  The flesh is said to be in taste not unlike beef.

White gallinule.  Order VII.  Cloven-footed.  Genus LXXV.

This beautiful bird greatly resembles the purple Gallinule in shape and make, but is much superior in size, being as large as a dunghil fowl.  The length from the end of the bill to that of the claws is two feet three inches:  the bill is very stout, and the colour of it, the whole of the top of the head, and the irides red; the sides of the head round the eyes are reddish, very thinly sprinkled with white feathers; the whole of the plumage without exception is white.  The legs the colour of the bill.

This species is pretty common on Lord Howe’s Island, Norfolk Island, and other places, and is a very tame species.  The other sex, supposed to be the male, is said to have some blue on the wings.

Genus XII.  Canis.—­Lin.  Syst.  Nat.

Genus XVII.  Dog.—­Penn.  Hist.  Quad.

Dog of new south Wales.