HABITS OF RHEA DARWIXH. 261 



multiplied needs of so many other less degraded 

 branches of our race, one is tempted to believe that 

 such noble efforts might more usefully be bestowed 

 elsewhere. Dr. Fenton thinks that the fact, which 

 appears to be well attested, that Fuegians, in a rough 

 sea, when in danger in their frail canoes, have been 

 known to throw an infant overboard, is evidence that 

 they believe in spirits, the child being offered to 

 appease the wrath of supernatural powers. I confess 

 that I place little reliance on the conclusions of 

 civilized men as to the ideas or motives of savage 

 races in a condition so low that we have the most 

 imperfect means of communicating with them. 



I was not able to ascertain positively whether the 

 species of rhea, or South American ostrich, found 

 near the Straits of IVIagellan, is exclusively the smaller 

 species {Rhea Dm^iuinii), but I believe there is no 

 doubt that the larger bird does not range so far as 

 Southern Patagonia. Dr. Fenton has had frequent 

 opportunities for observing the habits of the bird. 

 He finds that the nests are constructed by the female 

 birds, three or four of these joining for the purpose. 

 One of them deposits a single o.^^ in a hollow place, 

 and over this the nest is built. Each of the females 

 deposits several eggs in the nest, and then wanders 

 away, the male bird sitting on the nest till the young 

 birds are hatched. When this happens the parent 

 clears away the nest, breaks up the ^^^ which la}' 

 beneath it, and gives it to the young birds for food. 

 The flesh is described as delicious, somewhat inter- 

 mediate in flavour between hare and grouse. 



Dr. Fenton had commenced the trial of an experi- 



