natural history. 
!or 
This bird, like the oftrich, is extremely 
voracious of all things capable of pafling its 
fwallow. The Dutch aflert, that it not only 
devours glafs, iron, and Hones, but even 
burning coals, without the leaft fear or inju- 
ry. From its fcarcity, it is generally fuppo- 
fed not to be fo pi'olific as the oftrich ; but 
this may be more owing to their native place 
being ufurped by man, than from any defeft 
in its nature ; for, both its natural armour 
and digeftive power, are convincing proofs 
that it is deftined for the defert, and not for 
cultivated plains. So that, like other wild 
creatures, when they have, in vain, difputed 
with man the pofteffion of their own territo- 
ries they may have withdrawal themfclvcs 
to fome folitary defert, far from the prying 
eye of man, and for which they are fo pecu- 
liarly formed. 
The EMU, 
w HIGH is a bird but little knowm, is 
fix feet high, rcfembling the oftrich in form ; 
and ; has been reckoned, by travellers and 
naturalifts, to be of the fame fpecics. It is 
the largeft bird yet difeovered on the new 
continent ; but it is chiefly found in Guiana, 
Braill, Chili, and the immenfe forefts bor- 
dering on the mouth of the river Plata. 
Some alTert, that it buries its eggs in the 
I 2 fund. 
