Class AVES. 



Sub-Class RATIT^. 



Order R H E I F O R M E S. 



Family RHEID^. 



Genus RHEA, fAiih. 

 [Cf. Nathusiiis,^./. O. 189B, p. 257.] 



The eggs of the llheas are elliptical in form, and in some instances 

 bicoDical. The shell is very strong, smooth and closel}- pitted 

 with pores. The majority are glossy ; a few are entirely without 

 gloss. 



Rhea americana {Linn.). 



Rhea americana, Thien. Fortpfianz. ges. Viiy. tab. ii. fig. 1 (1845-54) ; 

 Solater, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 2.34; Hudson, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 535 ; Gibson, 

 Ihis, 1885, p. 283 ; Claraz, P. Z. S. 1885, p. 324 ; Scl. S,- Huds. 

 Argent. Orn. ii. p. 216 (1889) ; Holland, Ihis, 1892, p. 214; Schaloiv, 

 J.f. 0. 1894, p. 12; Salmdori, Cat. Birds B. M. xxvii. p. 578 

 (1895) ; Sharpe, Hand-l. i. p. 1 (1899). 



The eggs of the Common Rhea in the Collection vary in colour 

 between parchment- white and pale yellow. They also vary in size 

 very considerably, and it is probable that those of the first year are 

 much smaller than those subsequently laid. Full-sized eggs measure 

 from 5'3 to 6 in length and from 3-55 to 3-95 in breadth. A small 

 specimen collected by Mr. A. H. Holland measures only 3*15 by 2-4.5. 



1. Buenos Ayres. C. J. Jessnp, Esq. [P.]. 



1. Buenos Ayres. W. Parish, Esq. [P.]. 



1. Argentine Republic. W. Moncreilfe, Esq. [P.l. 



1. Argentine Repubhc, Oct. A. H. Holland, Esq. [C.J. 



2. Rio Grande do Sul. Dr. von Ihering [P.l. 

 1. Laid in confinement (Zool. Salvin-Godman Coll. 



Gardens, London). 



3. Lilford Aviaiies. Lord Lilford [P.]. 



