CHAP. ix.J EMEUS AT KNOWSLEY. 369 



pitfalling, anything but shooting, the biggest bird in 

 the world, and bringing it alive to England, as the 

 crown of the Knowsley and the Regent's Park mena- 

 geries? As various countries have selected some animal 

 for their emblem, the new settlement of Canterbury 

 may perhaps choose to display the Dinornis on their 

 national banner, in which case we may hope that they 

 will also be able to imitate the example of the Bernese, 

 in keeping at the gates of their city living specimens 

 (when caught) of the creature which they have raised on 

 their standard and their coinage to heraldic honours. 



Observations on the habits and propagation of the 

 Emeu in the menagerie of the London Zoological So- 

 ciety and at Knowsley, have been communicated by the 

 Earl of Derby to Mr. J. E. Gray, and incorporated in 

 the text of "the Knowsley Menagerie," a work which, 

 with the assistance of that gentleman, has been pub- 

 lished by his lordship. From these observations it cer^ 

 tainly does not appear that there is much difficulty 

 attendant on the endeavour to breed these birds, pro- 

 vided at least that they can have a tolerable extent of 

 range, for they are fond of exercise, and seem to possess 

 a good deal of curiosity, which leads them to haunt very 

 much the borders of their inclosure, especially if any* 

 thing be going on which occasions people to be moving 

 about near to, but beyond its boundaries. On such 

 occasions they will often rush hastily up along the fence, 

 with outspread wings, and an eagerness and vehemence 

 of manner which may often (especially to persons of 

 timid dispositions and unaccustomed to the bird) seem 

 to threaten violent attack upon the observers ; but it 

 may really be believed that if not disturbed or teased, 

 they are of a very harmless, quiet, and gentle character, 



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