EMEU WREN . — Stvpiturus maiachiirus. 
Our last, and perhaps the most curious example of the soft-tailed birds, is the 
beautiful little Emeu Wren of Australia. 
This pretty bird is remarkable for the development of the tail-feathers, which 
are extremely lengthened, and are nothing more than bare shafts slightly fringed 
on each side. The bird never perches on high trees, and very seldom takes to 
wing, but runs over the grass with very great rapidity, holding its tail erect 
over its back in a singularly pert manner. It is generally found among long 
grass, and, according to Dr. Bennett, it congregated some years since in the 
Sydney Domain, near the Botanic Gardens, but has not since appeared in that 
locality. The colour of this little bird is mottled brown above, and very light 
fawn below, deepening into chestnut on the flanks. The throat of the male is 
tinged with blue, and his tail-feathers are longer than those of his mate. 
The nest of the Emeu Wren is very large in comparison with the size of its 
inhabitant, and is placed on the ground, where it looks like a large ball of grass 
with a hole in the side. The interior is snugly lined with soft feathers, and 
there are generally three eggs. 
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