Page:Natural History, Birds.djvu/265

252 flesh which they dislike, and because, when driven to extremity, it defends itself with great vigour, striking out with its feet, and inflicting terrible wounds; the settlers assert that it will break the small bone of a man's leg by this sort of kick. To avoid being struck, the dogs, if properly trained, will run up abreast, and make a sudden spring at the neck; and if successful they then soon dispatch the game. The eggs are highly esteemed for the table, and the flesh of the young is extremely delicate; that of the old bird is coarse, but is eaten both by the natives and Europeans, who prefer it even to that of the Kangaroo. "The rump part," says Mr. George Bennett, "is considered as delicate as fowl: the legs are coarse like beef, but still tender." The skin yields several quarts of clear oil, which is valued for many purposes.

The nest of the Emu consists of a few sticks and leaves, scraped together among the brush-wood: here it lays from six to eleven eggs, of a beautiful sea-green hue, and nearly as large as those of the Ostrich. During the season they form a large means of subsistence to the natives.

Emus go in large flocks upon the extensive downs, where they feed upon leaves, fruits, and herbage. They swim well, crossing rivers with ease: on land they are very fleet. The voice of these birds is a hollow, inward, drumming sound, produced by a peculiar structure of the windpipe. There is no doubt that they might readily become naturalized in England.