In my research I tripped over a martial arts move that is essentially
called the emu.
http://www.shaolin-society.co.uk/Animal_Styles/Rare_Animal_Styles/
rare_a
nimal_styles.php
EMU (TAI XING)
This giant bird has been translated as ostrich, rhea and roc. Roc is an
incorrect translation because this giant bird was mythical. The emu,
ostrich and rhea are real birds, but it is not certain which of these
birds was the 'tai' bird. According to legend, this giant bird was a
gift of Portuguese traders during the Song dynasty (960-1279). They
were
described as large, flightless birds that could run 300 miles a day and
ate meat, metal, glass and hot coals. Although prone to exaggeration,
it
is likely that this was a bird like an Emu. Like the lion, only the
emperors had direct experience of this bird. The rest of the Chinese
attributed all sorts of fantastic characteristics to this animal that
they have never seen.
The emu is very strong. It was said to be able to cut open a man's
belly
with a kick. Accordingly, emu style relies on leg strength. It rams its
opponents using fists locked close to the body. But the power behind
these strikes is generated from the legs, not the arms. Emu is another
animal form within Xingyi. (Taoist Internal Martial Arts)
Nancy
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-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dinosaur@usc.edu [mailto:owner-dinosaur@usc.edu]
On Behalf Of zone65@bigpond.com
Emus roam free on the grounds at our local zoo (in Canberra), much as
peacocks do at zoos in other countries. I was checking out an emu's
feet from very close-up last weekend, getting reference for how to
paint a T. rex foot.
Although the zoo inhabitants are very tame, I was menaced by an emu in
the wild several years ago. I was peeling a banana when an extremely
tall bird approached me, obviously wanting the fruit. I tried to hide
it behind my back, but it then seemed ready to attack. So I quickly
gave it the banana which it gulped down in one go. I'm 6 foot 2" and
this bird towered over me. Luckily it walked back to its 'flock' after
it was sated. I've never heard of anyone being killed or even injured
by an emu, but I hadn't realised how obstreperous they could be until
this incident.