EMEU; APTERYX. 489 



that of the full-grown Bird is coarse. It is pursued, however, 

 for the oil that is obtained from it ; of which the skin produces 

 six or seven quarts. The eggs are highly esteemed as food. 

 Though not an aquatic bird, the Emeu swims well, and has been 

 seen to cross rivers. There is good reason to believe that it 

 might be easily naturalized in Europe ; as it not only thrives, 

 but breeds, in captivity; and seems to be quite capable of 

 adapting itself to the climate of England. 



440. Of all the Cursores, the Apteryx of New Zealand 

 appears to be the one which is most completely destitute of 



FIG* 278. APTERYX. 



wings, and which departs most widely from the general type of 

 the class of Birds. Its wings are trifling rudiments, buried 

 beneath the general plumage of the body, and not to be dis- 

 covered without difficulty ; they are each terminated by a 

 hooked claw. The beak is long, slender, and slightly arched, 

 resembling that of the Curlew. The nostrils are not situated 

 near the base of the bill, as in most other Birds ; but are minute 

 narrow fissures, one on either side of its tip. The legs are 

 extremely powerful, and the tarsi thick and short ; the toes are 

 three anteriorly and one posteriorly, the former robust and 

 armed with strong claws, well adapted for digging, the latter 

 a thick sharp horny spur, which is used as a weapon of offence 

 and defence. There is no vestige of a tail. This extraordinary 

 Bird is principally found in the southern parts of the middle 

 island of New Zealand ; especially frequenting fern-brakes ; and 

 seeking shelter in clefts of rocks, hollow trees, or in deep holes 



