THE EMU 6 



between the plumage of the male and of the female. The 

 upper part of the neck is almost bare of. the short hair-like 

 feathers, and the purplish skin is plainly visible. The early 

 observers were much struck by the presence of the after-shaft 

 to each feather, though this occurs equally in the Cassowary. 



The chicks, when first hatched, have two black longitudinal 

 bands on the back, and two more on each side, separated by a 

 greyish-white stripe, but these mostly disappear by the end of 

 the first year. They then have a dark-grey or brownish coat, 

 occasionally with many of the feathers barred, but these 

 markings usually only persist to the end of the second year. 



Young Emus — fortnight old in Melbourne Zoo. 



D. Le Souef. 



sometimes to the third year, after which the birds attain to their 

 adult plumage. Total length over 6 feet. Albino varieties 

 are met with now and then. There is one at present in the 

 Sydney Zoo. 



Nest usually near some cover, or under a tree with 

 a little grass or other vegetation placed about the eggs, 

 which the birds add to as they sit. They will also lightly cover 

 the eggs, when they leave them before the full clutch is laid. 

 The male bird usually sits during the day and the hen at night. 

 On one occasion in the Melbourne Zoo a hen bird was accidentally 

 killed after she had laid eight eggs. The male bird was equal to 

 the occasion, sat on the eggs, and hatched and reared the 



