ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BLLLKTIN 



The ymmfrste 



TIIK E.Ml' FAMILY 

 entirely clothed in feather^, and ha> 



reached half its father's height. 



One frosty day in .I.iini.iry. a frreat green egg, 

 leaiitifiilly embossed in a darker sliade. was 

 I'oinid in the sand of the vestihule. This event 

 was not unexpected, and a large, oval stone. 

 l)ainted a delicate green, was substituted for 

 the egg. which would smiu ha\e frozen if al- 

 lowed to remain where it was deposited. 



At intervals of about five daj's more eggs 

 ap])eared. until a total of six had been laid. 

 O ir supply of egg-shai>ed stones was soon ex- 

 hausted, but e\ idently enough were left to sat- 

 isfy the birds. On February 

 18. the male was found estab- 

 lished in a shallow depression 

 in the sand, fondly covering 

 three green stones. It was 

 evident that his intentions were 

 of the best, and the six eggs 

 were quickly substituted. 



Then followed a trying vigil, 

 the longest required of any 

 bird. The female wandered in 

 and out. taking small interest 

 ill the |)roceedings. but for .1 

 period of more than eight 

 weeks her mate was never seen 

 to leave the nest. When feed- 

 ing time arrived, he would rise 

 on his tarsi and eat greedily, 

 but as soon as his appetite had 

 been appeased, he at once set- 

 tled on them again. After In- 

 cubation had progressed for 



some weeks, it was found that unlike brood- 

 ing domestic hens, the emu was becoming enor- 

 mously fat. so that it became necessary to great- 

 ly reduce his ration. 



After two weeks had passed, the eggs were 

 examined and three which were found to be 

 infertile were removed. On the fifty-eighth 

 day. the faithful service of the bird was re- 

 warded by the appearance of a fine, healthy 

 chick. Of the two remaining eggs, one. already 

 chipped, rolled from the nest and became chilled. 



\IA1.I'. KNir AMI run K 



