292 
STRUTIIIONID/E. 
colour is a dirty olive-yellow ; others again are almost brown, 
with black dots. This species is known by our Sydney sportsmen 
under the name of the “ King Quail,” and is by most people 
considered a rare bird j but if its natural haunts be visited it will 
be found plentiful enough, although hard to “ rise.” It shows 
preference for the long tall grass in low damp situations, 
particularly bordering swamps and lagoons. The nestis like that 
of the rest of the family, a few pieces of grass, upon which the 
eggs are laid, but on the whole greatly depending on the nature 
of the ground. The breeding season lasts from August to January, 
but in confinement they will lay at almost any time of the year. 
The young upon leaving the shell are of a dusky hue, almost 
black.” (Jiamsay, Ibis, 18GS, Yol.iv., New Series, p. 279.) 
llnb. Rockingham Ray, Port Denison, Wide Bay District, 
Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales, 
Victoria and South Australia. ( Ttnmsny.) 
Order GR ALL AT ORE S. 
Family STRUTHIONID^I. 
Genus DROMAIUS, Vieillot. 
DROMAIUS NO V M- 1IOLLAN DIVE, Latham. 
Emu. 
Gould, ITandbk. lids. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 492, p. 200. 
This fine bird is found all over Australia, with the exception 
of the North-western portions. It used to be at one time 
common near the coast, but as the country became more thickly 
populated, it was driven towards the interior, where its numbers 
are fast decreasing, owing to the ruthless manner in which it is 
hunted and shot down, and the wholesale desti-uction of its eggs 
by men employed to search for, and break them, on account 
of the damage done by the birds to the wire fences, and the 
quantity of grass consumed by them. On a station in the Riverina 
