ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



1523 



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A PORTION OF THE EMU FLOCK 

 The peaceful appearance of the Emus in the illustration is not a true index of their normal state. 



the trip-hammer feet. The distress of both 

 birds took such a violent form that only a quick 

 reunion prevented damage to property and 

 limbs. 



But, however distressing it might be, the fam- 

 ily bond had to be severed. After a struggle, 

 the young bird was seized and carried bodily 

 to a large stall inside the Yak Shelter. Here 

 were only smooth, discouraging walls to kick 

 against, and the prisoner soon became recon- 

 ciled. 



In spite of our well-meant efforts, a connu- 

 bial reconciliation did not take place. The 

 male finally came to tolerate his erstwhile mate, 

 but that was all. Autumn chilled to winter, 

 and with the coming of spring, the young bird 

 emerged from his indoor imprisonment and re- 

 joined his parents. He was now nearly as large 

 as they, and distinguishable only by the prac- 

 ticed eye. 



Early in the next winter, there were evi- 

 dences of renewed affection between the old 

 pair. In February, 1917, matters had so well 

 progressed that a frozen egg was found one 

 morning in a corner of the corral. Now came a 

 demonstration of the value of experience. A 

 stone egg was quickly produced and placed on 

 the floor of the indoor shelter. The bird 

 showed the deepest interest in the substituted 

 egg, and covered it carefully with straw and 



debris, which was rearranged daily. The in- 

 difference of callow 3^outh had been replaced 

 by the solicitude of maturity. Our emu had 

 become a professional father. 



The female was, if possible, even more ir- 

 responsible than ever. Her eggs were deposit- 

 ed in ever}^ corner of the enclosure, at inter- 

 vals varying from four days to a week. Only 

 the vigilance of her keeper prevented the loss 

 of every one. As each egg was laid, a wooden 

 or stone imitation was placed in the shelter. 

 Flere they were received, covered and duly 

 inspected in good faith by the male. 



After six had accumulated, the bird became 

 broody and spent m.uch of his time in sitting 

 about on the ground. He continued to look af- 

 ter the eggs, but made no effort to begin incu- 

 bation. 



Two vestibules lead to the inner room occu- 

 pied in winter by the emus. We had wished 

 the bird to make his nest in the smaller one, 

 for its dimensions were more suitable for ar- 

 ranging the nest. But the vagaries of instinct 

 again became evident. The bird refused to 

 brood there. A lovely nest of fresh, green sod. 

 occupied by five attractive dummy eggs, could 

 not lure him. He often peeked in at the door 

 of the proposed nursery, but although the eggs 

 had been there from the first, he now refused 

 to enter. 



