. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. Phcic by D. Lt Smif\ [.U.;/..i NEST AND EGGS OF EMEU The feet of the old bird, -which tvas standing near^ can be seen behind the cptrs tij indulge in the luxury of pcrs(-inal decoration â a decoration, moreover, shared cquall)- b_\- the males and females, both sexes ha\-ing the head anil neck most bi'illiantl)' coloured. In some species all the hues of the rainbow are vividly reflected. To show these colours, the feathery coN'ering, still worn by their relati\'es cin the distant contin
. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. Phcic by D. Lt Smif\ [.U.;/..i NEST AND EGGS OF EMEU The feet of the old bird, -which tvas standing near^ can be seen behind the cptrs tij indulge in the luxury of pcrs(-inal decoration â a decoration, moreover, shared cquall)- b_\- the males and females, both sexes ha\-ing the head anil neck most bi'illiantl)' coloured. In some species all the hues of the rainbow are vividly reflected. To show these colours, the feathery coN'ering, still worn by their relati\'es cin the distant continents of Africa and iVmerica, has been cast off and the skin left bare. To these gorgeous hues they have added yet other features, for the head is surmounted in man\' species by a huge casque, or helmet; \\'hilst from the neck depend curious fleshy lobes, or wattles, coloured in accord- ance with the rest of the bare, coloured skin of this region. Then, too, they have effected quite- a novel transformation in the quills of the wing, for these project on either side of the bod)' in a- series of shining black spines. Nor is this all, for over and above the energy which the>^ have to spare for personal decoration is a very large reserve to be in fighting. The males are very pugnacious, and to give point to this pugnacity they wear a very formidable weapon on the inner toe in the shape of a huge nail, which can inflict a reall}^ dangerous wound. It is used in kicking, the foot being brought forwards and downwards with incredible speed and great force. When wounded, these powerful birds are \'ery dangerous to approach. " On more than one occasion a wounded bird has caused a naturalist to take to a tree. The sharp nail of the inner toe is a most dangerous weapon, quite equal to the claw of a large kangaroo, and capable of doing quite as much ; Although forest-haunting birds â wherein they differ from their allies, which are plain- dwellers â the cas
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecad, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectzoology
