2340 



THE TIN AM US, FLIGHTLESS BIRDS, ETC. 



amber-colored oil, free from either taste or smell. Very easily tamed, and in a 

 domesticated state thriving well in Europe, where it breeds freely, the emeu is 

 noticeable for a curious and somewhat mischievous disposition. It will, for instance, 

 invariably endeavor to inspect every strange object brought into its vicinity, v-hile 

 if a visitor shows any symptoms of fear when brought into a paddock or park con- 

 taining one or more of these birds, and attempts to escape by flight, he will be cer- 

 tain to be pursued. On one occasion, at Sydney, a man thus hunted by a tame 

 emeu, was much astonished at having his hat removed by the bird. In such chases, 

 emeus appear to be actuated more by a spirit of mischief than anything else, but 



when they are brought to bay, and to kicking out with their muscular legs, they 

 are formidable adversaries. In kicking, the blow is delivered outward and back- 

 ward. 



It is not a little remarkable that during the Pliocene period there 

 existed in Northern India a three-toed Ratite bird apparent!)' closely 

 allied to the emeus and cassowaries, thus showing that in former times 

 the group had a wider distribution than at present. This bird was not larger than 

 an emeu; but during the later portion of the Tertiary epoch Australia possessed 

 some much larger species, which have been named Dromornis, and apparently indi- 

 cate an extinct family, more or less closely allied to the present one. 



Allied Extinct 

 Birds 



