Cfj Emu and Ostrich Farminc;. 



this question, ■' Have ifon any good reason to doubt my veracity ? " 

 To that question I shall not pause for a reply, in case it might 

 cause you some embarrassment to give one, but shall with it finish 

 my already too lengthy and prosy paper, humbly apologising for 

 having tried your patience so long. I shall be glad, however, if 

 any of you have picked up a few crumbs only to add to your 

 previous knowledge of Emus a.nd Rheas. If my reminiscences 

 and anecdotes have afforded to others even the smallest atom of 

 amusement I shall be equally pleased. 



Rev. Mr Andson moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr 

 Eell for his extremely interesting and instructive paper. He had 

 shewn a great deal of enterprise in rearing these birds in a climate 

 so unsuitable for their natural habits. 



Mr J. S. Thomson, jeweller, seconded the motion, which was 

 supported by Mr R, Murray, George Street, and Mr Rutherford 

 of Jardington. 



Mr Bell, in replying to questions put by Mr Rutherford and 

 others, said when the Emu was standing at rest his height would 

 be about five and a half feet ; but when he put up his head it 

 would be about six feet. H could lift his (Mr Bell's) hat off his 

 head quite easily, and his height was 6 ft. 2i in. When he first 

 kept them, he had them in a small enclosure and the fence was a 

 high one — six feet ; but after he removed to Castle O'er, where 

 they had more space, the fence was simply an ordinary palling, 

 four feet high. He never saw them attempt to go over it unless 

 they were hunted. He repeated his warning that it was very 

 precarious to procure a breeding pair, and also to get a good male, 

 who would sit ; although his own experience had been most for- 

 tunate. It was very difiicult to say the possible profit. Some- 

 times he had only five young birds, and he might have perhaps 

 twenty eggs in a season. To get five birds you perhaps had to 

 set about twelve eggs, selling the extra eg-gs and the young birds. 

 It was often difficult to get the young birds sold, although he did not 

 experience difficulty. It was not a thing to go in for as a specula- 

 tion. He had known many failures. He would not seriously 

 advise that it should betaken up as a new industry. The feathers 

 of the Emu, he mentioned, were of no value whatever. Their 

 principal food was grass ; but in this climate they must always 

 have some extra food. 



