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Show 774 HON. W. ROTHSCHILD ON THE CASSOWARIES. [June 20, and 1899, I was much struck by the inadequate figures and descriptions hitherto available, and I thought it might be useful if I published a monograph of the genus Casuarius, with coloured figures and a detailed anatomical description. As my own journal was of too small a size to allow characteristic plates to be given, I laid the matter before the Publication Committee and the monograph was accepted for publication in the ' Transactions.' I now place before you the original drawings for this monograph and a photograph of one of the birds. I find there are fewer distinct species than has been hitherto supposed (11 are enumerated by Count Salvadori) ; but, owing to their solitary habits and restricted though wide distribution, most of the species have developed into a number of local races or subspecies. Of distinct species I recognize 8, viz.:- 1. Casuarius casuarius (Linn.), from Ceram, Aru, New Guinea, and Australia. 2. Casuarius bicarunculatus, from W a m m e r and Kabroor Islands, Aru Islands. 3. Casuarius uniappendiculatus, from Salwatti and Jobi Islands and the northern shores of German and Dutch New- Guinea. 4. Casuarius papuanus, from Salwatti and Dutch N e w Guinea. 5. Casuarius picticollis, from German and British N e w Guinea (lowlands). 6. Casuarius lorice, from British N e w Guinea (high mountains). 7. Casuarius bennetti, from N e w Britain. 8. Casuarius philipi, habitat uncertain. • Taking cognizance of all the races, we find there are 18 recognizable subspecies as follows :- ]. Casuarius casuarius. Ceram. (a) „ casuarius beccarii. Vokan, Aru Islands. (b) ,, casuarius salvadorii. Arfak. (c) ,, casuarius sclateri. N e w Guinea, from Maclure Inlet to Samarai. (d) „ casuarius violicollis. Trangan Island, Aru Islands. (e) „ casuarius australis. Queensland. (f) „ casuarius intensus. Habitat uncertain. 2. Casuarius bicarunculatus. Waminer and Kabroor, Aru Islands. 3. Casuarius uniappendiculatus. Salwatti and Arfak. (a) „ uniappendiculatus occipitalis. Jobi Islands and Geelvink Bay. (b) „ uniappendiculatus aurantiacus. Huon Gulf, German N e w Guinea. |