Casuariidae Casuariidae The bird family Casuariidae has four surviving members: the three species of cassowary and the emu. All living members of the family are very large flightless birds native to Australia-New Guinea, though the extinct potential member "Hypselornis" was native to India. The characteristics of the family are those of its members. The fossil record of casuariforms is interesting, but not very extensive. Some Australian fossils initially believed to be from emus were recognized to represent a distinct genus, "Emuarius", which had a cassowary-like skull and femur and an emu-like lower leg and foot. A Pliocene Indian ratite, "Hypselornis", has
Birds Australia – Victoria Birds Australia – Victoria Birds Australia Victoria (BA-VIC) was the Victorian regional group of Birds Australia. BA-VIC was formed in 1982. Members of Birds Australia resident in Victoria were automatically members of BA-VIC. The quarterly newsletter was "Vic Babbler". Activities provided for members include monthly meetings, a variety of excursions and campouts, bird surveys and conservation projects. Past Presidents include prominent ornithologists Tim Dolby and Margaret Cameron. In 2009, in association with Allen & Unwin, BA-VIC published a new bird book, "Where to See Birds in Victoria", edited by Tim Dolby, featuring the best places in Victoria for seeing birds.