Chris Lennox from Gold Coast, Queensland Australia

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EMU Australia's national bird

EMU is the largest bird in Australia and is the only member of the genus Dromaius. It is also the largest bird in the world after the ostrich ratites. There are three subspecies of Emu recorded from Australia. They live throughout the continent of Australia and avoids dense forests, arid and densely populated. Emus are ratites with the body to reach a height of 2 meters and covered with soft brown feathers. The neck and legs are long and thin. You can travel long distances with a speed of 50 km / h for a distance at a time. They are nomadic and may travel long distances to find food. They feed on a variety of plants and insects, and may continue for several weeks without food. They also have stones, pieces of glass and metal pieces of food material in the digestive tract of squash. Drink water with an interval of one or two days and are also known to drink plenty of fluids. They are also able to swim in the water and is known to follow and watch the other animals, including humans. You are not continuous sleep during the night, but is known to have short beds.
They are known for their nails on their toes and sharp as a knife used to lead predators to wear. His legs are stronger than all the animals the potential removal of cables and fencing team. Vision and hearing develops a predator can easily identify Emu, even in the neighborhood. The plumage of an eye continues to change depending on the area and acts as a camouflage structure. Plumas hatching and maintain excellent body homeostatic balance of the body. Men and women can not be identified by their appearance, but calls that are strong in your neck inflatable. Mating occurs in May and June are not monogamous. Fights between males and females is very common. Women are known to mate with more than one male and produce a number of eggs per season. Both men and women are characterized by increased weight and cover most of the right of the incubation is carried out by the male. The male will lose weight during incubation, and had nothing to eat during this period. Eggs hatch after eight weeks and are fed by their parents. They are mature and mate in six months, after years and a half later. You can live 10-20 years and are easy prey for dingoes, hawks and eagles. You can jump and kick to keep dingoes, but you can only run when chased by eagles and hawks.
They are hunted for their meat, oil and leather. Emu meat is lean and the oil has good anti-oxidants, but not suitable for humans. This is an important cultural icon in Australia and appears on coins and on the coat of arms. Casuariidae are classified in the family with their close relatives, and cassowaries in Struthioniformes for ratites. Weight varies between 18 and 48 kg. Females are larger than males and to a wider fuselage. They have vestigial wings and claw 20 cm ra is in the wingtips. The bird's wings to stabilize the body in motion. The muscles of the pelvic limbs give them the strength for quick operation. There are only three toes on the feet and the number of bones and muscles is reduced. gastrocnemius muscles are present only in the back of the legs. pelvic floor muscles play a role similar to the flight muscles. While walking is a step of 100 cm, but in steps of step sizes up to 275 cm. the lack of feathers on the legs and lower legs with pillows. Have a bill of soft grass.
The neck of emus and sparsely covered with light blue feathers. Feathers are brown to gray-brown and the trees and the tips of the feathers are black. The suggestions are well known to solar radiation and internal plumage is known to provide insulation to trap birds. Both sexes are similar, but the man's penis can be seen clearly when I did. Plumage is strongly influenced by the circumstances. The eyes are protected by the membranes MN. These membranes are transparent lids and secondary education. They have a tracheal pouch increasingly important during the breeding season. This is used in courtship and communication. The bag is 30 cm long, with thin walls and very spacious. The amount of air in the bag affects the intensity of the call initiated by the birds. Women often cry more than men. During the warm, sunny days, the lungs act as evaporative coolers and the prevention of blood alkalosis. The metabolism is low compared to other ratites. Their conversations are expanding hard drums and grunts can be heard at a distance of about 2 km.
They live in many areas of Australia particularly in sclerophyll forest and savannah, forests and sparsely populated. They move in herds with normal social behavior. They spend much of their time on their feathers brushing with the help of his beak. They feed on a daily model. devouring locusts, beetles, grubs, ants and grasshoppers. They are known for breeding pairs in the months of December and January and will remain so for about five months. It is a territory and is known to guard. Both sexes reach the weight and the females weigh more than males weigh about 48 to 58 kg. The man lost about 9 kg of weight while incubating eggs. During the breeding season of the testicles in the man became double in size under the control of luteinizing hormone and testosterone. The national male and female has become attractive physical appearance during the mating season. The dark plumage on women. If a woman looks at a suitable partner for him by always turning the neck and torso is still found. Women currently produces an interview. Females are more aggressive and often fight for their peers.
After mating, the male loses his appetite and builds the nest on the ground with the help of the bark, branches, grass and leaves. The nest is inches flat, spherical and 7 a bit 'high and provides better isolation of the eggs. The male may also add feathers to the nest if interested. The pair mates every day or a pair of two days and after each mating, the female lays about 11 eggs, which are very large, thick and dark green shell eggs. The housing may be 1 mm in thickness and number of eggs varies with each rainfall. The eggs can weigh 700 to 900 grams. The incubation period of 56 days. The eggs hatch in early youth in the care of their parents. newly hatched chicks are active and can leave the nest after a few days. The chicks can be grown in about 5-6 months and can stay with family for about 6 months. Males may feed the chicks for a period of about seven months.
Consumed as food by the Australian and European settlers. Emu fat was used as medicine and Bush has rubbed on the skin. E 'was also an excellent lubricant. Emu fat is low in fat and cholesterol of about 85 mg/100 g. Emu fat is returned to produce oil for use in cosmetics, dietary supplements and therapeutic products. The oil is extracted from subcutaneous and retroperitoneal fat. The oil is a rich source of fatty acids, oleic acid, linoleic acid and palmitic acid with various antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids. Studies have shown that oil also has anti-inflammatory properties. The leather used to make handbags, shoes, arts and crafts.

Kiwi, a bird does not fly

The Kiwis are native to New Zealand and are flying birds belonging to the genus and family Apterygidae Apteryx. The body size is similar to the chicken and put the most eggs in relation to their body size. It is the smallest living ratites today. About five species of kiwis are now known and all are in the category of endangered species due to deforestation. These species are protected in national parks and reserves of various games. mammalian predators are a dangerous threat to these birds. They are the national symbols of New Zealand. Previously, it was thought that the kiwi is a close relative of the moa. However, recent studies based on DNA have suggested that owls are more closely related to Moa and New Zealand are closer to EMU and emus. This theory suggests that arrived in New Zealand from Australia after the arrival of the moa.
Before the arrival of humans on Earth in the 13th century or earlier, there were three species of bats in New Zealand and all the ecological niches around the world were occupied by horses, wolves and birds. Kiwi is a shy bird and night. nocturnal habits may be the result of the invasion of predators including humans too. The Kiwis are seen during the day only in the sanctuaries of New Zealand. Podocarpaceae prefer to live in subtropical and temperate forests of beech, but some also live in the subalpine shrublands, tussock fields and mountains. They have well-developed sense of smell. They feed on invertebrates, seeds, worms and many types of worms. They also eat fruits, small lobsters, eels and amphibians. The nostrils are present along the edge of the peaks that they are able to locate insects and worms underground present only by his keen sense of the child.
One way a couple of men and women live together all their lives in monogamous pairs. The mating season ranges from June to March and the pair of mating produces a mating call and ask each other overnight. The mating pair know each other in respect of the settlement after three days. This relationship can continue for about 20 years. They are unique among birds because they have a pair of ovarian function. The egg weight can be about one quarter the weight of the female body. Only one egg is laid per season. The kiwi's egg is about six times larger than chicken eggs. The eggs are soft and can be white, ivory, green or white. Men are known to incubate the eggs, except the kiwi Gran as both actors. The incubation period is 63-92 days. Thirty days are required for the egg is fully developed and the female requires food three times to produce a large egg. Two or three days before the egg of the female stops eating.
Its adaptation to the terrestrial habitat is significant. No keel on the sternum to anchor flight muscles. The remains are very small so they are invisible under a cloak of feathers. flying birds have hollow bones that kiwis marrow failure bone marrow bone, but has a condition similar to that of mammals. They also have glands preen and other ratites. The accounts are tender, long and have reduced eyes Pecten. Feathers lack barbules and aftershafts and vibrissae are present. They have 13 flight feathers, the tail, but pygostyle small. Gizzard is weak, but the blind is long and narrow. Kiwi takes its name from the Maori language. London Zoo was the first zoo to commemorate the kiwi in 1851. A number of programs are operating to save this bird can not fly, for example, BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust, Moehau Environment Group, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary Springs Rainbow Trust.

The Latest World Cup News

After terrific results so far in this World Cup for most of Latin America's teams, Paraguay hope to keep the roll going against Slovakia in Sunday's first game in the quest for a second round place.
The South Americans have not passed the second stage in seven attempts but are buoyed with self-belief after wins over big guns Brazil and Argentina in the qualifiers, and a creditable 1-1 draw with world champions Italy in their opening game - Reuters

Just 15 days after undergoing surgery on a broken arm, Didier Drogba is set to start tonight for the Ivory Coast against Brazil, and that would be a huge boost for a side that has already taken a point off Portugal.
The Chelsea striker made a difference when he came on late in the 0-0 draw and Brazil, having been stretched by North Korea, will be aware of his threat in this most unpredictable of World Cups.
Brazil could keep faith with the side that won 2-1 against North Korea ahead of the final game, against Portugal - Telegraph.co.uk

Paul Le Guen insists he will not step down as Cameroon coach after they became the first nation to be knocked out of the World Cup.
The Indomitable Lions' hopes of reaching the second round are already over after suffering a 2-1 defeat by Denmark in Pretoria on Saturday - Skysports.com

The Netherlands and Denmark will both be missing key players when they face each other on Monday.
Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben will definitely miss out for the Netherlands with a hamstring injury, while Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is likely to be missing for Denmark with a groin problem - BBC Sport

Fabio Capello has warned his underperforming England side that he is prepared to get tough if necessary.The Italian has made it clear that he will make his selections based on form, meaning nobody is immune from the axe.
Two lacklustre showings in their opening Group C games at the 2010 World Cup have left Capello pondering sweeping changes.
Some difficult decisions may have to be made before the midweek encounter in Port Elizabeth, with the performances of too many players having fallen below the required standard.
Capello accepts as much and has informed those still feeding their feet that he is running out of patience.
The former AC Milan and Real Madrid is renowned for his no-nonsense approach to management and has revealed that he would not be afraid to drop any of his so-called stars against the Slovenians.
"No-one is untouchable, not in my mind," he said - Skysports.com

It is has been reported that France striker Nicolas Anelka has retired from international football.
Anelka was sent home from the World Cup squad on Saturday following a dressing-room bust-up with manager Raymond Domenech.
It is reported that the 31-year old directed a foul-mouthed tirade at Domenech during half-time of Thursday's 2-0 defeat to Mexico.
Anelka, capped 60 times accepted his exclusion and wished the team well, but it now appears he has called time on his international career.
A win over South Africa in their final group game may not be enough for France as they will still be eliminated if Mexico and Uruguay draw their match - Skysports.com

Honduras' three Palacios brothers are forever assured a place in the annals of the FIFA World Cup. They became the first ever trio of brothers to appear at the tournament after Jerry was given a late call-up by Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda, as a replacement for the injured Julio Cesar de Leon. Jerry thus joined his two younger brothers, Jhony and Wilson, who were named in the original squad for South Africa 2010 - Fifa.com

The thought of Chile against Switzerland as a top-of-the-table clash in the same group as World Cup favourites Spain would have been inconceivable only a few days ago.
But both teams are in the unlikely position of joint Group H leaders after the Swiss stunned the Spaniards 1-0 and Chile beat Honduras by the same scoreline, to seal their first win at a World Cup in 48 years.
Although far from a mouth-watering matchup, Monday's encounter has taken on added significance that might just be enough to wake sleepy Port Elizabeth from its World Cup snooze.
The defeats for Spain and Honduras, who meet later on Monday in Johannesburg, means a win for either Switzerland or Chile would give them one foot in the next round. The winning side may be able to advance with a defeat in their final game - Reuters

Coach Bob Bradley and the USA team are putting the controversy of the tie against Slovenia behind them, with the focus switching to Wednesday's key match against Algeria.
USA coach Bob Bradley firmly believes his team's apparent game-winning goal against Slovenia in the 85th minute should not have been disallowed by referee Koman Coulibaly, who overnight became one of most well-known figures of this World Cup back in America.
Bradley said he watched and rewatched footage of the controversial call on Maurice Edu's close-range shot and did not see anything out of the ordinary pushing and shoving that goes on in the penalty area during a free kick. Instead of a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory, the United States had to settle for a 2-2 draw - Miamiherald.com

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac declined to criticise his men for failing to kill off 10-man Australia in their 1-1 draw yesterday.
Harry Kewell was sent off for a first-half handball on the line, and although Ghana equalised from the spot, they could not find a winning goal.
But the result leaves the Black Stars needing only one point from their final Group D match to reach the last 16. Ghana, who play Germany on Wednesday, top the group with four points, one more than the Germans and Serbia.
Australia have one point and must beat Serbia to have any chance of progressing to the next phase - BBC Sport

Australia's Harry Kewell has been suspended for one match following his sending off for a deliberate handball during Friday's 1-1 draw against Ghana.
Kewell could have been handed a two-game ban, but Fifa's disciplinary committee opted not to impose a stiffer punishment on the ex-Liverpool player.
It means he will miss Wednesday's final Group D match against Serbia but will be available if Australia progress - BBC Sport

Congratulations to England - Twenty20 World Champions

England celebrate after being crowned 20/20 World Champions following today's seven-wicket victory over Australia at the Kensington Oval, Barbados.

It was their first tournament victory in 35 years of ICC limited-over competitions.

Scorecard:
ICC World Twenty20 Final: England v Australia
16th May 2010 at Barbados.
Result: England beat Australia by 7 wickets

England won the toss and decided to field

Australia Innings: 147 for 6 (20.0 overs)
England Innings: 148 for 3 (17.0 overs)

Australia Innings:

S Watson c Swan b Sidebottom 2
Warner run out 2
M Clark c Collingwood b Swann 27
Haddin c Kieswetter b Sidebottom 1
D Hussey run out 59
C White c Broad b L Wright 30
M Hussey not out 17
Smith not out 1
Extras 1nb 4w 1b 2lb 8

Total 6 for 147 (20.0 overs)

Bowlers:

Sidebottom 4.0 0 26 2
Bresnan 4.0 0 35 0
Broad 4.0 0 27 0
Swann 4.0 0 17 1
Yardy 3.0 0 34 0
L Wright 1.0 0 5 1

Fall of wickets:

2 S Watson
7 Warner
8 Haddin
45 M Clarke
95 C White
142 D Hussey

England Innings:

Lumb c D Hussey b Tait 2
Kieswetter b M Johnson 63
Pietersen c Warner b Smith 47
Collingwood not out 12
E Morgan not out 15
Extras 8w 1lb 9

Total 3 for 148 (17.0 overs)

Bowlers:

Nannes 4.0 0 29 0
Tait 3.0 0 28 1
M Johnson 4.0 0 27 1
Smith 3.0 0 21 1
S Watson 3.0 0 42 0

Fall of wickets:

7 Lumb
118 Pietersen
121 Kieswetter

Umpires: Aleem Dar, B R Doctrove, R S Madugalle, B F Bowden

England team: Kieswetter (W), Lumb, Pietersen, Collingwood (C), E Morgan, L Wright, Bresnan, Yardy, Swann, Broad, Sidebottom

Australia team: Warner, S Watson, Haddin (W), M Clarke (C), D Hussey, C White, M Hussey, Smith, M Johnson, Tait, Nannes

'Best Bet Summer Special' - The Ashes 2009 with Betfair

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of my guest betting blog. In the second part of my 'summer special' I am switching my attention from rugby union to cricket, and focusing on the current Ashes series between England and Australia.

The Aussies, are of course holders of the famous urn, after their 5-0 whitewash down under in 2006/07. Not that you would think that if you have been following the media circus surrounding this iconic 'cricketing battle.'
The British media seemed to have conveniently forgotten about 'that' series and before a ball had been bowled in anger this series, every broadcast and journalistic column inch had instead been devoted to that famous summer of 2005, when England regained the Ashes for the fist time since 1989.

To the current series:
The opening test in Cardiff re-created some of the spirit of 2005, especially on the last day as Monty Panesar and James Anderson clung on to secure an unlikely draw for England.
It got even better at Lord’s as England buried a 75 year hoodoo to go 1-0 up in the second test of this five match series.

England’s hero on that dramatic final day at the home of cricket, Andrew Flintoff, has announced his retirement from test cricket after this series. Will he go out on a high? Can we grasp the Ashes back from the clutches of the Aussies?

Here are the latest Ashes odds:

Who will win the Ashes?

Australia 11/4 England 5/4

Series score:

England to win:

4-0 54/1 3-0 16/1 3-1 19/1 2-0 8/1 2-1 9/2 1-0 12/1

Australia to win:

3-1 14-1 2-1 9/2

Drawn series:

1-1 4/1 2-2 6/5

Top series run-scorer:

Andrew Strauss 3/1 Ricky Ponting 7/2 Michael Clarke 5/1 Simon Katich 9/1 Paul Collingwood 11/1 Alastair Cook 14/ Brad Haddin 14/1 Michael Hussey 22/1 Philip Hughes 49/1

Top series wicket taker:

Mitchell Johnson 5/6 James Anderson 5/1 Ben Hilfenhaus 4/1 Andrew Flintoff 7/1 Nathan Hauritz 9/1 Peter Siddle 10/1 Graeme Swann 12/1 Stuart Broad 27/1 Graham Onions 41/1 Brett Lee 69/1

Series Specials:

Will there be a hatrick in the series? Yes 15/2 No 1/18

Will there be a double century? Yes 5/2 No 1/3

Will someone get ten wickets in the match? Yes 6/1 No 1/14


My 'best bet' prediction’ for Ashes betting:

I have to admit at the outset I thought the Aussies would come out on top. Though Ricky Ponting’s men are not as formidable as they once were, due in part to the retirement of cricketing legends such as Warne, McGrath, Hayden, Langer and Gilchrist, the Aussie's should not be underestimated.
But with the advantage now lying with England I did wonder whether I should change my mind. However without the likes of Simon Jones and a firing Steve Harmison I just don't think we have enough in our bowling attack to consistently take 20 wickets a test, especially with the continuous doubts surrounding the extent of Freddie Flintoff's knee problems.
On that basis I am going to be very unpatriotic and predict a 2-1 Australia series win at 9/2.