Nests and Lyqgs of Emus and Cassowary of Australia. 217 
Weight of 9 examples of various sizes selected pro- 
miscuously when full:—The smallest weighed 16} oz., the 
heaviest 234 oz.—average of the 9 barely 204 oz. 
Observations.—It is always a pleasant occupation to read, 
- write, or diffuse information about such a notable and noble 
creature as the Emu. The “King of the Australian fauna” the 
bird has been fitly termed. Whether seen in private reserves, 
parks, or in the open, the Emu always arrests attention. 
Even the bushman who has seen hundreds of Emus in the 
wilds, will always glance at the bird or remain to admire its 
handsome eggs. 
Considering that the Emu is such an important and 
ornamental bird, soon likely to become scarce, or altogether 
extinct, as 1s now the case in Tasmania, it is somewhat 
remarkable that so little information is published with 
regard to this giant amongst the feathered tribes. If we 
wish to augment our knowledge of the habits of this most 
interesting bird, we should do so without loss of time; 
because, however the bird may hold its own in the little 
disturbed districts of the interior, it is becoming astonishingly 
scarce within, say, 200 miles of the sea-board, and will 
rapidly become more so, except the parliaments, and especi- 
ally the people, aid in its protection. It has been for many 
years extinct in Tasmania and Kangaroo Island. The 
colony of Victoria, where comparatively few Emus now 
remain, will soon rank with those islands. What few birds 
do remain, perpetual protection to them and their progeny 
might rightly be applied, nay, demanded. The meagre pro- 
tection existing in that colony is faulty, inasmuch as the 
close season for Emus only commences on the 14th June in 
each year, whereas some of the birds lay in April and May. 
In the neighbouring colony of New South Wales, Emus are 
protected absolutely for a period of five years commencing 
1893. However, the law there is almost a dead letter, and, 
as I myself have witnessed, is more honoured in the breach 
than in the observance. 
Gould’s far-seeing remarks should be written in capital 
letters :—“ And now a word to Australians, particularly to 
those who are interesting themselves about acclimatising 
