386 



The Living Animals of the World 



on this account and in the early morning the species 

 inhabiting the Argentine pampas will, observers tell 

 us, come right up to the isolated houses of the 

 settlers, so that the boys knock them down with 

 stones. The delicate quality of the flesh has caused 

 these birds to be highly esteemed as food, and their 

 trustful nature renders them an easy prey, so much 

 so that in some districts they have been almost 

 exterminated. Large numbers are caught by riding 

 round them in a circle and securing them with a 

 noose. Mr. Hudson, who lived many years in the 

 pampas, assures us that the GREAT TINAMOU is one 

 of the sweetest-voiced of the native birds. The 

 song is composed of " five modulated notes, flute- 

 like in character, and very expressive, and is uttered 

 by many individuals answering each other as they 

 sit far apart, concealed in the grass." 



The eggs of the tinamous are to be reckoned 

 among the wonders of bird life, being so highly 

 burnished as to look like beautifully glazed porcelain. 

 The colour varies according to the species, ranging 

 from wine-red, blue-green, and brown to black. The 

 young are almost as remarkable as the eggs, being 

 clothed with a peculiar down, of great complexity 

 of structure, and resembling in some respects the 

 nestling down of the true ostrich. 



THE KHEA. 



Photo by H. Xoble, Esq.] [Henley. 



RHEA AND YOUNG ONES. 



Although frequently bred in this country, the yoang do not 

 seem to be easily reared. 



The KHEA is a native of South America. It is frequently referred to as the SOUTH 

 AMERICAN OSTRICH, and also as the NANDU. The resemblance which it bears to the true ostrich 

 is striking, but it may at once be distinguished therefrom by the fact that it has three toes 

 and a feathered head and neck; furthermore, it is smaller in size, and lacks the conspicuous 



white wing- and tail-plumes. 

 The tail, indeed, as may be seen 

 from the photographs reproduced 

 is wanting. The rhea must be 

 regarded as standing at the head 

 of the flightless members of the 

 Ostrich Tribe. Its wings, though 

 not large enough to raise its 

 heavy body from the ground, are 

 yet of considerable size. 



In Buenos Aires rheas are 

 hunted with dogs. If a breeze 

 is blowing, the birds raise one 

 wing, which acts as a sail. This 

 done, they can acquire a speed 

 which makes it absolutely im- 

 possible for either dog or horse to 

 come up with them. The only 

 chance of ultimately capturing 

 them is by wearing them out 



Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.] 



[Panon's Green. 



RHEA LYING DOWN. 



The breast of the larger members of the Ostrich Tribe is provided with a large horny plate, 

 on which they support the body when resting. 



