THE ZOOLOGIST 



No. 741.— March, 1903. 



THE BLACK EMEU. 



By Graham Renshaw, M.B. 



The group of flightless birds scientifically known as Ratitce 

 will always be of peculiar interest to the naturalist on. account of 

 their anomalous condition, which contrasts so strangely with the 

 free-flying powers which the majority of the feathered tribe 

 possess. Indeed, to the popular mind, a bird which cannot fly is 

 almost as great a marvel as a mammal which lays eggs, a pre- 

 daceous bird which can sing, or a fish which dies if kept sub- 

 merged in water. The practical naturalist can call to mind 

 familiar instances of all these prodigies in the form of the 

 Australian Ornithorhynchus, the Bechuana Chanting Hawk, and 

 that quaint fish, the West African Mud-Skipper (Periophthalmus) . 

 The Ratitce are also remarkable for the high development of 

 their running and kicking powers, which have kept pace with the 

 gradual diminution of the wings; so that, although all but 

 apterous, these birds are by no means in a defenceless condition. 

 Then again the ease with which the members of this group can 

 be tamed and tended in captivity renders them most suitable 

 subjects for acclimatization, whilst the large size of many species 

 well adapts them for exhibition in zoological gardens. 



The African Ostriches have been so much appreciated for 

 their beautiful plumes that in many districts they are little more 

 than gigantic barnyard fowls, being kept on special farms for the 

 Zooi. 4th ser. vol. VII., March, 1903. h 



