BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



plumage being dull-greyish in colour. The wings are 

 extremely small, and can be found only by diligent 

 search among the feathers of the sides of the body. It 

 is a singular-appearing bird, owing to the long, hair- 

 like feathers, and when viewed from the front the eye- 

 lashes sticking out on each side of the head give it a 

 very fierce expression. 



Two species of Emu are generally recognised, both 

 inhabitants of Australia and neighbouring islands. 

 The bird is easily acclimated in England, and is quite 

 common in many of the parks of that country, where 

 it is allowed to run at large. It breeds remarkably 

 well. The eggs are solidly coloured, a deep bluish- 

 green at first, which gradually changes to black. The 

 young are prettily striped little creatures, looldng 

 quite unlike the parent birds. The Emu has three 

 toes, and, like other members of the Ostrich famUy, is 

 able to deliver a very powerful kick. 



The sober-coloured Emu has some very handsome 

 relatives in the Cassowaries of New Guinea and the 

 neighbouring islands — though one species occurs on 

 the mainland of Australia. But little is known about 

 these birds, however, in the wild state. When first 

 feathered they are like the Emu in colour of plum- 

 age, but when adult life is fully attained they have 

 a rich shining black coat, much resembling hair. At 

 maturity they shed the feathers of the head and neck, 

 the bare skin then assuming the most brilliant hues — 

 combinations of blue, green, violet, red and yellow, ac- 

 cording to the species. From the crown of the head 

 there arises a large casque, or helmet, which, though 

 it looks solid, is really a very frail structjire, consist- 



