Nests and Eggs of Emus and Cassowary of Australia. 225 
example, to the south of Lake Amadeus, a decoction is made 
of the leaves of the plant, which is found growing amongst 
the sandhills, and the liquid is placed where the Emu can 
drink it, the result being that the bird is stupefied, and falls 
an easy prey to the spear of the native. 
To show how prolific Emus are still in some parts of 
Australia, likewise to demonstrate how flagrantly the “Game 
Act” is broken, during the season 1894, according to a 
Sydney newspaper, a boundary rider in Queensland sold in 
or sent to that city 1123 Emu eggs, which realised 12s. per 
dozen, or a total value amounting to more than his wages for 
the year. 
With reference to the question whether Emus swim 
or not, Mr Geo. F. Armitage (Mildura) thoughtfully sent 
the following note :—‘On Christmas 1893 I was travelling 
to Swan Hill from Mildura in the steamer ‘Ellen, 
when, rounding a bend of the river, I was astonished 
to see, about 100 yards ahead, a small flock of five 
Emus just taking the water (from the Victorian side). 
They either did not see the boat, or were oblivious of 
danger, for they swam on in order to reach the opposite 
bank, and although the boat dashed right into the midst 
of them, scattering some to one side, and some to the 
other, so that they became perfectly deluged with water, 
they soon righted themselves, and reached the shore in safety, 
where they rejoined their companions who, apparently, had 
previously crossed.” 
I alluded to the extinct species of Emus that formerly 
inhabited Tasmania and Kangaroo Island. That of the 
former place may have been the same, but most probably 
differed from the mainland species; but the following in- 
teresting note, received from Professor Newton (Cambridge), 
1894, shows that the Kangaroo Island form was distinct :— 
“Tt may interest you to learn (if you are not aware of it) 
that MM. Milne-Edwards and Oustalet have recently pub- 
lished a memoir showing that the Dromaius ater of Vieillot 
was a good species, distinct from D. nove-hollandie (the 
Emu) and also the D. wrroratus (Spotted Emu). It seems 
to have been peculiar to Kangaroo Island, where, I daresay, 
