FOOT — ON BREEDING OF BIRDS FROM SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE. 39 



eggs in the month of March, 1869, one of which was broken by the hen 

 bird. The three eggs of the batch of 1869, which were first laid, I 

 weighed and measured at the time; the weights were 17, 20±, and 21 

 ounces; the average major circumference of the three was 14 inches; 

 the minimum 1 1 ; the average length 5^ inches ; average breadth 3| 

 inches. One of the eggs was much smoother and of a paler green than 

 the others. The Kestrel lays four and occasionally five eggs ; the fifth 

 egg has been known to weigh several grains less than any of those pre- 

 viously deposited ; and it has also less colouring matter spread over the 

 shell than the others. These differences have been attributed to the 

 constitutional exhaustion she has sustained in her previous efforts ; and 

 perhaps such may be the explanation of the difference in weight and 

 colour of one of the Emeu's eggs. The Emeu's eggs require from 

 fifty-four to fifty-six days for incubation. As the birds showed no dis- 

 position to sit, the eggs were removed as soon as laid, and reserved for 

 sale, it not being considered worth while making an attempt to hatch 

 them artificially. The number of eggs laid by an Emeu in a state of 

 nature is stated to be always an odd number; perhaps in this case the 

 even number, if the contrary be the rule, may be attributed to the 

 effects of confinement. An Emeu's egg is considered to equal in bulk 

 a dozen hen eggs. Mr. Gould observes, that the natives in Australia 

 esteem them very much as an article of food, and feed upon them ex- 

 clusively whenever they can be procured. The flesh of the bird is said 

 not to be so palatable ; it is rich and oily, and very apt to disagree with 

 the stomach. In the narrative of the journey of M'Kinlay across 

 Australia, there is an entry : — " The Emeus made us sick, the meat is 

 so oily ; they weighed, when ready for the pot, 48 lbs., 33 lbs., 31 lbs. ; 

 the smaller ones were better, and they saved us some sheep, which is a 

 consideration."* 



Emeus have been very successfully reared in England in the 

 aviaries erected by the Duke of Newcastle in his grounds at Clumber 

 Park, Nottinghamshire. The adult birds chiefly feed on grass ; those 

 of Clumber graze with the cows and horses in an open field, and are 

 fond of cabbage, lettuce, or any garden refuse ; but, for their size and 

 weight, are unquestionably small eaters. During the laying season 

 they are also supplied with a proportion of meal mixed with water, or 

 soaked ship biscuits. They are readily kept within bounds by ordinary 

 fences, never attempting to force through a hedge or pass over a gate. 

 They are also very prolific, the hen laying nearly thirty eggs every 

 season. In the year 1868 the hen Emeu commenced to lay on the 5th 

 of January, and laid every second or third day until she had deposited 

 twenty-seven eggs, which were placed on the floor of a shed which 

 opened, into a small enclosure in which the birds were confined at that 

 time. After seven eggs had been deposited, the male proceeded to sit 



* " Tracks of M'Kinlay across Australia," by John Davi3, one of the Expedition. 

 London, 1863, pp. 320, 321. 



