Emu - Australia


England used its American holdings as penal colonies; the state of Georgia was founded as such. Following the Revolutionary War, England had to find new horizons to set up its penal institutions. Australia suited those needs and inmates began arriving at Norfolk Island, Queensland, New South Wales, and Tasmania.

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Dromaius novaehollandiae - The emu can grow to heights of 2 meters. It is the largest bird in Australia and the second largest in the world; the ostrich is the largest. Females initiate courtship and once a bond has been established, the breeding pair will remain together for about five months. It is the male who constructs the nest and incubates the eggs; he will not eat or drink for almost eight weeks. The female will continue to add one egg to the nest every two or three days until the total count reaches approximately 11 eggs.