Cassowary of New South Wales.

Early c.18th engraving of an Emu which was first sighted on 21st January 1788 by surgeon Arthur Bowes at Port Jackson and described and drawn in his diary on the transport ship Lady Penrhyn. His diary entry describes his observations:

The animals we saw during our stay in New Holland……-a bird of a new genus, as large and high as a Ostrich.

Binomial name: Dromaius novaehollandiae
First described: Latham 1790
Distribution: Australia wide (not including Tasmania)

The source of this illustration as noted by the publisher;
Of these botanical productions, and other rare objects of natural history, by the friendship of a gentleman in an official department, who was for many years resident, we possess a very valuable collection of original drawings, executed with admirable accuracy and taste.

From; The Naturalist’s Pocket Magazine; or, Compleat Cabinet of the Curiosities and Beauties of Nature

References:
George, A. Capturing Flora / 300 Years of Australian Botanical Art. Ballarat 2013 p.42 ill. p.44.

Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 3202841