THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 143 



Rheas {RheidcB). 



Diagnosis. — Large running flightless birds, with three 

 toes and fairly large wings, folded as in ordinary 

 birds. 



Size. — About four feet high or less. 



Form. — Bill flat and short, with central nostrils and 

 corner of mouth beneath centre of eye ; shanks 

 long,- toes three, with no basal web ; no hind-toe ; 

 wings fairly large, folded at elbow and wrist as 

 in ordinary birds, covering the body like a cloak. 

 No external tail. General form of body noticeably 

 oval. 



Plumage. — Lax and soft, but less so than in other 

 large flightless birds ; the wing-quills long, body- 

 feathers short and close. Head, neck, and thighs 

 all completely feathered. No sex-difference. 



Young. — Active and feeding themselves ; down hairy- 

 looking, marked with a few light and dark longi- 

 tudinal stripes, much like young game-birds. 



Nest. — A hollow in the ground, scratched out by the 

 male. 



Eggs. — Numerous, unspotted, oval and smooth. 



Incubation. — About six weeks, the male only sitting. 

 The time appears to vary greatly. 



Courtship. — ^The courting male droops his wings, 

 which reach to the ground. 



Food. — Grass, herbage, etc. ; insects are the chief food 

 of the young at first. 



Gait. — A walk or very rapid run. They swim well. 



Note. — A boom. 



Disposition, Habits, etc. — Wary, but easily tamed if 

 taken young. The breeding male is savage, 

 attacking with both bill and foot. 



Economic Qualities. — The long wing-plumes are 

 called " Vautour " (vulture) in the feather trade, 

 and are a good deal used. They can be collected, 



