Our Hosts Were In Ecstasies, And Seemed Very Grateful That A
Similar Fate Had Not Befallen Some Of Their Number
In the morning; but we
made Lizzie explain to them clearly that our object was not to hurt our
black
Friends, unless they were wicked - ill-treating white men, or
spearing cattle. A couple of noble emus now came stalking slowly towards
the water, and, passing within forty yards of our hiding-place, both fell
victims to the breechloaders of Dunmore and myself.
This beautiful bird inhabits the open country throughout Australia, where
at one time it was very common, but is now rarely seen in the settled
districts. However, in the north emus may be found in plenty; and I do not
think there is the slightest fear of their becoming extinct, as some
writers suggest. All my readers must have seen this bird at the Zoological
Gardens, and remarked its likeness to the ostrich, both in form and habits;
but the prisoner portrays but poorly the free majestic gait of the wild
inhabitant of the plains. The colour of the adult bird is a greyish brown,
the feathers are very loose and hairy, whilst the height of a fine male is
often nearly seven feet. The usual mode of capturing these birds is to
ride them down, using dogs trained for the purpose to pull them to the
ground. The dogs should be taught to reserve their attack until the emu is
thoroughly tired out, and then to spring upon the neck; but an unwary puppy
will bitterly rue his temerity should he come within reach of the powerful
legs, which deal kicks fiercely around, and of sufficient power to disable
any assailant.
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