The word is Malay, the genusbeing found in «the Islands in the Indian Archipelago.» (`O.E.D.') The Australian variety is Casuariusaustralis, Waller. The name is often erroneously applied(as in the first two quotations), to the Emu (q.v.), which isnot a Cassowary.
1789. Governor Phillip, `Voyage,' c. xxii. p. 271:
«New Holland Cassowary. [Description given.] This bird is notuncommon to New Holland, as several of them have been seenabout Botany Bay, and other parts. . . . Although this birdcannot fly, it runs so swiftly that a greyhound can scarcelyovertake it. The flesh is said to be in taste not unlikebeef.»
1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales,'c. xi. p. 438:
«The cassowary of New South Wales is larger in all respectsthan the well-known bird called the cassowary.»
1869. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia' (Supplement):
« Casuarius Australis, Wall., Australian Cassowary,sometimes called Black Emu.»
1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals,' p. 73:
«One day an egg of a cassowary was brought to me; this bird,although it is nearly akin to the ostrich and emu, does not,like the latter, frequent the open plains, but the thickbrushwood. The Australian cassowary is found in NorthernQueensland from Herbert river northwards, in all the largevine-scrubs on the banks of the rivers, and on the highmountains of the coasts.»
Ibid. p. 97.
«The proud cassowary, the stateliest bird of Australia. . . this beautiful and comparatively rare creature.'»
1891. `Guide to Zoological Gardens, Melbourne':
«The Australian cassowary. . . . They are somewhat shorterand stouter in build than the emu.»