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Mrs. E. Warren Vernon,



the female when once she has commenced to incubate, but goes

away in search of another mate.


Two resident forms of the Common Quail occur, one, C.

coturnix capensis, in South Africa, Madagascar, the Canaries, and

the Cape Verde Islands ; and the other, C. coturnix japonicus , in

Japan and China. With both of these races the Common Quail

interbreeds whenever they meet.


There are only four other species belonging to this genus,

all of which appear to be migratory to a greater or less extent.

These are C. novce-zealandice , now said to be extinct; C. pecloralis

of Australia ; C. delegorguei of Central and South Africa; and

C. coromandelica of India.


In this Journal for November, 1906. appeared some notes

on the genus Coturnix, with a coloured plate illustrating the

heads of different forms, and some remarks on their treatment

in captivity ; and to this readers interested in the subject are

referred.



THE BREEDING OF RHEAS.


By Mrs. E. Warren Vernon.


For some time past I have kept a pair of Rheas, and have

allowed them a considerable amount of liberty, permitting them

to wander at will in an orchard of over an acre, near the house,

and to live as much as possible in unrestrained conditions. At

the same time I have succeeded in establishing personal relations

with them both, and have, therefore, been able to make close

observations of their habits, as they show no signs of fear in my

presence. The accompanying photo shows them coming through

the orchard towards me, in response to my call of “Abraham”

and “Sarah,” for they know their names perfectly and invariably

answer with alacrity.


It was a great delight to me when I discovered, in the

spring of this year, that my Rheas had thoughts of breeding.

The cock bird commenced booming in the early part of the

summer, and continued doing so until June 6th, on which date

the first egg was laid.


The place chosen was in the orchard amongst the elm

suckers. A large space was scratched on the bare earth, and here



