NATURAL HISTORY. 335 



not easily overtaken or brought within gunshot. Captain 

 Currie states that it affords excellent coursing, equalling if net 

 surpassing the same sport with the hare in England ; but Mr. 

 Cunningham says that dogs will seldom attack it, both en ac- 

 count of some peculiar odour in its flesh which they dislike, 

 and because the injuries inflicted upon them by striking out 

 with its feet are frequently very severe. The settlers even as- 

 sert that the Emu will break the small bone of a man's leg by 

 this sort of kick ; to avoid which, the well-trained dogs run up 

 abreast, and make a sudden spring at their neck, whereby they 

 are quickly dispatched." 



" Its flesh has been compared to coarse beef, which it re- 

 sembles both in appearance and taste. There is but little 

 fit for culinary use upon any part of the Emu except the hind 

 quarters." 



The voice of the Emu is a kind of low booming sound. The 

 eggs are six or seven in number, of a dark green colour, and 

 are much esteemed by the natives as food. AA hen the natives 

 take an Emu, they break its wings, a curious custom of no per- 

 ceptible utility. Young men and boys are not permitted to 

 eat the flesh of this bird. 



THE APTERYX. 



This extraordinary bird, whose name is derived from the ap- 

 parent absence of wings, those members being merely rudi- 

 mentary, inhabits Australia and the islands of New Zealand. 

 It conceals itself among the densest fern, and when hunted by 

 dogs, it hastens to seek a refuge among rocks and in the cham- 

 bers which it excavates in the earth. In these chambers its 

 nest is made and the eggs laid. The natives hunt it with 

 great eagerness, as the skin is used for the dresses of chiefs, 

 who are so tenacious of them that they can hardly be per- 

 suaded to part with a single skin. The feathers are employed 

 to make artificial flies. When attacked it defends itself by 

 rapid and vigorous strokes with its powerful feet. 



Dr. Shaw first brought this bird before the notice of the 

 public, but for many years naturalists considered it an extinct 



