298 emus' nests. 



quimaux do the flesh of whales and seals, as a 

 highly luscious treat. The oil is excellent for 

 burning ; it produces no disagreeable smell : it 

 is also considered a good liniment for sprains or 

 bruises in horses and cattle, either alone, or 

 when stronger stimulating properties are re- 

 quired, mixed with turpentine. 



The emu crops herbage like the cow or horse, 

 and possesses great keenness of vision. The 

 flesh is eaten by Europeans, and preferred by 

 some to the kangaroo : the rump part is con- 

 sidered as delicate as fowl ; the legs coarse like 

 beef, but still tender : the. fibula bone of the leg 

 is used as an ornament by the natives. The 

 best time to hunt these birds is at an early hour 

 in the morning. They are swift of foot ; but 

 when once the dogs get up to them, they are 

 speedily overthrown and dispatched. The for- 

 mation of their nest is simple : they usually select 

 a situation, in a scrub, upon the hills, where a 

 space is scraped similar to those formed by brood- 

 ing hens ; sticks and leaves, which alone form 

 the nest, are left round the cleared place : here 

 the eggs are deposited without regard to regu- 

 larity, the number varying from nine to thirteen ; 

 and it is a curious circumstance, that there is al- 

 ways an odd number ; some nests having been 

 discovered with nine, others with eleven, and 



