386 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 



fluu ty H. NMi, E,J. 



RHEA AND YOUNG ONES 



Although frequently bred in this country, the young do nut 

 seem to be easily reared 



them stupid on this account and in the early morn- 

 ing 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 exter- 

 minated. 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 bur- 

 nished 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 RHEA 



The RHEA 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 re- 

 garded 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 Ayres 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 captur- 



Phiti tf Sihtlan 



RHEA LYING DOWN 



ing them is by wearing them out 



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

 plate t on 'which they support the body -when resting 



