07 i the Breeding of Rheas.



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the first egg was deposited, and every other day another egg was

added to the last until nine eggs were laid. When this was

accomplished, “Sarah” seemed to have absolutely no further

interest in them. She ignored their existence entirely while

they remained eggs, but when the chicks appeared her negative

attitude changed to one of positive dislike, and she became so

spiteful and untrustworthy that I was obliged to keep her wired

off from her young ones in case of accidents.


From the first, therefore, the whole duty of incubation fell

upon “ Abraham,” and he sat splendidly, never leaving the nest

until the sun came full on it, when he left it for a time, always

returning, however, the moment any shadow fell upon the eggs.

It is curious that, though there was a difference of eighteen days

between the laying of the first and last eggs of the clutch, yet all

the birds were hatched out within two days of each other. In¬

cubation lasted forty-two days, from the 24th of June until the

5th of August.


The photo of the young was taken when they were five

days old. They were able to run about almost at once, and were

very strong and active. They caught many flies for themselves

in the grass, but I provided them with plenty of food in the

shape of biscuit and meal ; as they grew older I gave them

crushed Spratt’s biscuits, and they did remarkably well on this.

They were very intelligent and, when only a few days old,

realized that my appearance generally coincided with the appear¬

ance of food, and would come running towards me the moment

they caught sight of me. I found they had a great liking for

broken bits of toast or stale bread, but they never cared for soft

food of any kind, and I have not observed any of them attempt

to eat it.


Abraham was the most devoted parent possible, and it was

difficult to realise that it was the father-bird who so magnificently

carried out the duties we usually call maternal. He brooded

them at night, and never relaxed his vigilance and care by day.

When he wished to call them to him, he did it by snapping his

beak. I saw him one day in the rain with his wings lifted up as

if they were umbrellas, and under them the young ones were

cuddled up safe and dry.



