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Literary
September 29, 1909
Bismarck Daily Tribune
Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota
What is this article about?
A naturalist observes a cassowary in New Britain using its spread and ruffled feathers to lure small fish, which mistake them for weeds, then shaking them out to eat. Contrasts with cormorant and fish hawk methods.
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THE CASSOWARY.
A Peculiar Bird That Fishes With Its Feathers.
Habits of the cormorant - and of the fish hawk are generally known. Their methods of taking fish are very much like those of birds of prey. But the cassowary fishes according to a method of its own. A well known naturalist witnessed its operations on a river in the island of New Britain. He saw a cassowary come down to the water's edge and stand for some minutes apparently watching the water carefully. It then stepped into the river where it was about three feet deep and, partially squatting down, spread its wings out, submerging them, the feathers being spread and ruffled. The bird remained motionless and kept its eyes closed as if in sleep. It remained in this position for a quarter of an hour, when, suddenly closing its wings and straightening its feathers, it stepped out on the bank. Here it shook itself several times, whereupon a quantity of small fishes fell out of its wings and from amid its feathers. These the bird immediately picked up and swallowed. The fishes had evidently mistaken the feathers for a kind of weed that grows in the water along the banks of the rivers in this island and which much resembles the feathers of the cassowary. The smaller fishes hide in these weeds to avoid the larger ones that prey on them.-Exchange.
A Peculiar Bird That Fishes With Its Feathers.
Habits of the cormorant - and of the fish hawk are generally known. Their methods of taking fish are very much like those of birds of prey. But the cassowary fishes according to a method of its own. A well known naturalist witnessed its operations on a river in the island of New Britain. He saw a cassowary come down to the water's edge and stand for some minutes apparently watching the water carefully. It then stepped into the river where it was about three feet deep and, partially squatting down, spread its wings out, submerging them, the feathers being spread and ruffled. The bird remained motionless and kept its eyes closed as if in sleep. It remained in this position for a quarter of an hour, when, suddenly closing its wings and straightening its feathers, it stepped out on the bank. Here it shook itself several times, whereupon a quantity of small fishes fell out of its wings and from amid its feathers. These the bird immediately picked up and swallowed. The fishes had evidently mistaken the feathers for a kind of weed that grows in the water along the banks of the rivers in this island and which much resembles the feathers of the cassowary. The smaller fishes hide in these weeds to avoid the larger ones that prey on them.-Exchange.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Nature
What keywords are associated?
Cassowary
Bird
Fishing
Feathers
New Britain
Naturalist
River
Small Fishes
Weeds
Literary Details
Title
The Cassowary. A Peculiar Bird That Fishes With Its Feathers.
Subject
Habits Of The Cassowary Bird Fishing With Its Feathers In New Britain
Key Lines
A Well Known Naturalist Witnessed Its Operations On A River In The Island Of New Britain
It Then Stepped Into The River Where It Was About Three Feet Deep And, Partially Squatting Down, Spread Its Wings Out, Submerging Them, The Feathers Being Spread And Ruffled.
The Bird Remained Motionless And Kept Its Eyes Closed As If In Sleep.
Here It Shook Itself Several Times, Whereupon A Quantity Of Small Fishes Fell Out Of Its Wings And From Amid Its Feathers.
The Fishes Had Evidently Mistaken The Feathers For A Kind Of Weed That Grows In The Water Along The Banks Of The Rivers In This Island And Which Much Resembles The Feathers Of The Cassowary.