249 



Whitk Java Sparrows (Afnnia oryzivora var. alba) : No young have 

 been reared up to the present, owing to their first nest being appropriated 

 bv the Cutthroats. They are now sitting on five eggs, but the cold weather 

 may prevent success. 



Among others that have reared families are: — Bengaiese, Silverbills 

 and Budgerigars. 



No Parrakeets have been reared, although Red r limps and Cockateels 

 have laid. 



Ruddy-shoui.dkked Troupiat, or Cowbikd {Agekeus humeral is) : 

 These have nested [vide plate) on several occasions, and as many clutches 

 have been laid, but, although the birds are excellent sitters, nothing has 

 come of it; all the eggs so. far having proved infertile. 



Spotted Emus (Dromceus irroratus) : These birds (vide plate) came 

 into my possession about three months ago, being a pair I procured from 

 Messrs. Payne and Wallace, and on their arrival here they were driven into 

 a large run, and, although tame, appeared very restless, walking up and 

 down, up and down for hours. 



The cock " Billy " unfortunately rubbed his neck and head badly in 

 transit and consequently had to be doctored with ointment, which soon 

 healed the wound, and the feathers have now nearly covered the bare place. 

 After a few days both birds settled down, and are now so tame that they will 

 come up to one to have their heads stroked. 



They are fed on barley meal, made crumbly moist, and green food 

 from the kitchen garden. They are now in a large grass run. in the centre 

 of which stands a hay rick, affording them excellent protection from the 

 not infrequent gales of wind. They also have access to a shed which is but 

 seldom used (vide plate). 



Apples they are passionately fond of. 1 am told that they find in 

 their native homes the Emu apples which contain a large stone inside. 

 My birds have always sharp gravel to pick over, which aids their digestion. 

 .Some days they are let out and will run up and down at a tremendous pace; 

 they seem able to stop and turn like professional skaters, and sometimes 

 they will twist their necks round and give a series of hops as if they were 

 going to have a fit. They make a very peculiar noise like emptying a big 

 water bottle at times, at others a kind of booming. Mr. Payne tells me 

 the cock makes an entirely different noise to the hen. 



They are very curious, and the first time I tried to photograph them 

 they came within a foot of the camera and I was obliged to keep my 

 weather eye open, as a dab from their beaks might have wrecked the 

 apparatus; no doubt the dark focussing cloth and camera stand were novel 

 to them. 



When they came I was warned against dogs frightening them, but one 

 day a fox terrier got in their enclosure, and instead of their being frightened 

 they chased that dog about until it was half dead. 



Their feathers are very peculiar, two being joined in one quill. I 

 hope if they prove a tme pair to be able to breed them next year, as they 

 are onlv young birds and will have an unlimited grass run. 



