272 PATAGONIAN EXPEDITIONS: GEOGRAPHY. 



ence of several skeletons of domestic cattle or, in earlier days, of buffalo, 

 in similar places all over our western plains. 



The rhea, or so-called ostrich, is no less characteristic of the Patago- 

 nian plains than is the guanaco. Only the smaller species, Rhea darwini, 

 was observed during our travels, the larger R. americana apparently 

 ranging farther north. These birds are much hunted, both for their flesh 

 and feathers. Their natural habitat is the plains region east of the 

 Andes, although we occasionally met with them in the more open valleys 

 of the mountains. They are about five feet in height, and a full-grown 

 male will weigh from sixty to seventy-five pounds. The flesh, more espe- 

 cially that of the rump and wings, is of good flavor. The eggs are abun- 

 dant in September and October, and are much used as food. The nest 

 consists of a hole scooped out of the ground, and is usually situated in a 

 quite open and unprotected place. Several females deposit their eggs in 

 the same nest, so that the number of eggs in a nest is frequently con- 

 siderable, often numbering from forty to fifty. When the clutch is com- 

 plete the eggs are hatched by the male, and the young of each brood 

 remain together, at least throughout the first year, and perhaps for life, 

 although this has not been definitely determined. 



The rhea is extremely wary and difficult to approach. Although 

 entirely flightless, it is such a swift runner that its speed is only sur- 

 passed by that of the fleetest horse or hound. The pursuit and capture 

 of these birds, whether with dogs and bolas after the native fashion, or 

 with gun, is a most difficult and exciting sport. The young are readily 

 tamed, although no general attempt has been made to domesticate them. 

 This is probably due to the quality of their feathers, which though much 

 inferior to those of the African ostrich, have, however, heretofore found a 

 ready market at an average price of five dollars per kilo. 



The Oiias of the Fuegian Plains. — Closely resembling the Tehuelches 

 and evidently derived from the same original stock, are the Onas, inhabit- 

 ing the plains and timbered regions of central, northern and eastern Tierra 

 del Fuego. Like the Tehuelches, they are of splendid physique and live 

 entirely by the chase. They are essentially a plains people and only 

 occasionally frequent the coast. Their island having been separated from 

 the mainland from a remote period of time, they have been practically cut 

 off from all communication with their relatives on the northern shores of 

 the eastern stretches of the Magellan Straits, and have thus developed a 



