The Ostrich Always Kicks Forward, In Which He Differs From
The Emu, Whose Blow Is Delivered Sideways And Backwards, Like A Cow.
This
bird is very good eating, if you know the part to select; the legs proving
tough and unpalatable, while the back is nearly as tender as fowl.
But to
the bushman the most valuable thing about the emu is its oil, which is
looked upon as a sovereign remedy for bruises or sprains when rubbed into
the affected part either pure or mixed with turpentine. This useful oil is
of a light yellow colour, and from its not readily congealing or becoming
glutinous, it is in much request for cleaning the locks of fire-arms. It
chiefly resides in the skin, but also collects in great quantities near the
rump. The usual mode of obtaining it is to pluck out all the feathers, cut
the skin into small pieces, and boil them in a common pot; but a still
simpler plan, though less productive, is to hang the skin before a fire,
and catch the oil as it drips down. A full-sized bird will yield from six
to seven quarts. The food of the emu consists of grass and various fruits.
It emits a deep drumming sound from its throat, but no other cry, that I
ever heard. Its nest is only a shallow hole scraped in the ground, and in
this hollow the eggs, which vary in number, are laid. Dr. Bennett remarks
that "There is always an odd number, some nests having been discovered with
nine, others with eleven, and others again with thirteen." When fresh they
are of a beautiful green colour, and are in much request for mounting in
silver as drinking cups; but after a little while the colour changes to a
dirty brownish green.
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