The EMU (_Dromæus Novæ-Hollandiæ_) is larger than the Nandu, but inferior
in size to the Ostrich, its height usually not exceeding six feet.
Australian hunters have occasionally killed specimens measuring seven feet
to the crown of the head. The coloration of the plumage is principally of
a uniform pale brown, of a darker shade on the head, throat, and centre of
the back, and paler on the under side. The eye is light brown, the beak
horn-grey, and the foot pale brown; the bare parts of the face are of a
greyish tinge.
This bird is much valued on account of the clear, bright yellow oil
extracted from it. This is obtained by boiling, and employed both for
burning and as an excellent liniment in gouty cases.
Dr. Bennett informs us that the natives regard the flesh as a highly
luscious treat when cooked with the skin on, and that the fibula or small
bone of the leg is employed by them as an ornament.
The flesh of the Emu, according to Mr. Cunningham, resembles beef "both in
appearance and taste, and is good and sweet eating; nothing indeed can be
more delicate than the flesh of the young. There is, however, but little
of it fit for culinary use upon any part except the hind-quarters, which
are of such dimensions that the shouldering of two hind legs homewards
for a mile's distance proved," he says, "as tiresome a task as he ever
encountered in the colony."
Dr. Leichardt "found the flesh of these birds of the greatest service
during his overland route from Moreton Bay to Port Essington," in the
course of which, but more particularly between the head of the Gulf of
Carpentaria and Port Essington, the sight and capture of Emus was almost
a daily occurrence; so abundant, in fact, were they, that he saw in the
short space of eight miles at least one hundred, in flocks of three, five,
ten, and even more at a time. Some curious practices exist with respect
to this bird among the natives, and young men and boys are not allowed
to feed upon it. The note of the Emu is a low, booming or pumping noise,
which is produced in the female by means of the expansion and contraction
of a large membranous bag, surrounding an oblong opening through the rings
of the trachea; whether this peculiarity of structure is to be found in
the male, we are not aware. The Emus pair with tolerable constancy, and
the male bird appears to take a large share in the task of incubation. The
eggs, which are merely placed in a cavity scooped in a sandy soil, are six
or seven in number, and of a beautiful dark green, resembling shagreen in
appearance; they are five inches and three-quarters long, by three inches
and three-quarters in breadth. The eggs are held in much esteem by the
natives, who feed upon them whenever they can be procured.
The nest of the Emu is situated, as we are informed by Dr. Bennett, in a
scrub upon the hills, where a space is scraped, similar to those formed
by brooding hens. The sticks and leaves, which alone compose the nest,
are laid round the cleared spot, and here the eggs are deposited without
regard to regularity, the number varying from nine to thirteen. It is
a curious circumstance that there is always an odd number. It is now
ascertained beyond a doubt that the eggs are hatched by incubation, and
not, as was once supposed, by solar heat. They are of large size, and of a
beautiful blueish green colour.